Erb Street Improvements

Reconstruction of approximately 240 metres of road on Erb Street West from Caroline Street to King Street in the City of Waterloo in accordance with the requirements of a Schedule B Class EA process. The services WalterFedy provided included preliminary and detailed design including corridor/grading design, underground service design, coordination with Waterloo North Hydro to design underground hydro civil infrastructure, decorative street lighting design, coordination with gas and telecommunications utilities, preparation of tender and contract documents in conjunction with the Region of Waterloo, and field review during construction.

This project was originally initiated with the Region’s Bridgeport/Caroline and Erb project to address the deteriorating pavement conditions of these sections of roadway, replace the aging sanitary sewer and watermain, develop enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, and improve the existing intersection configurations. The sections of roadway within the project area are located within the Urban Core Area of the City of Waterloo and need to support future development intensification through prioritizing active transportation while accommodating significant traffic volumes.

In late 2016, coinciding with the King Street reconstruction project in Uptown Waterloo, the Region elected to advance the reconstruction of Erb Street West to 2017 in addition to incorporating infrastructure for a future underground hydro conversion as well as decorative street lighting. In coordination with Waterloo North Hydro, WalterFedy designed approximately 100 metres of underground hydro infrastructure, and in conjunction with the Region, prepared all required tender and contract documents in order for construction to proceed in the summer of 2017.

Challenges faced during the design process included designing underground infrastructure within a congested right-of-way, obtaining approvals for work within a GRCA regulated area, and continuous design coordination with the Uptown King Street reconstruction project. These were overcome through extensive utility exposures prior to construction, preparation of comprehensive approvals applications and supporting documentation, and proactive, timely communication.