Project Profile

The City of Grande Prairie retained ISL to provide engineering and landscape architecture services for the Downtown Rehabilitation and Streetscape Upgrades project. Services were required to replace and upgrade deep utilities (sanitary, storm and water), urban roadways (shallow utilities, sidewalks and walkways, and curbs, gutters and roads) and streetscape elements (planting, furniture, streetlights, etc.). To minimize disruption to the travelling public and local business owners, the project was separated into two phases: Phase 1 – 101 Street (98 Avenue to north of 102 Avenue) and Phase 2 – 101 Avenue (102 Street to 100 Street). ISL designed and tendered the phases concurrently with construction beginning July 25, 2016 and completed in November 2017.

ISL’s landscape architects worked closely with City representatives, offering sustainable environmental solutions and innovative landscape features including sidewalk pavers, soil cells and irrigation systems for new trees and shrubs.

After completing the first two phases of this project, ISL provided engineering services for Phase 3, located on 100 Avenue, from 102 Street to 100 Street. Design occurred in 2017 and construction in 2018. The project entailed replacing and upgrading deep utilities, shallow utilities, urban roadways, and streetscape elements, and required a major road closure and multiple intersection closures.

Numerous stakeholder groups identified in the project included City Council, City departments, the Downtown Association, utility owners, business and property owners, and the public. Input from affected stakeholders and regular communication began early in the design stage and carried through to the end of construction. At all stages the Contractor was required to provide access to businesses with temporary walkways and fences.

ISL is currently at work on Phase 4 of the project, located on 100 Avenue, from 100 Street to Resources Road. Construction for this phase is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2021.