FAQs
General FAQ
What is the purpose of the 16th Street and 8th Avenue roadway improvement project?
The project aims to upgrade aging infrastructure on these roads. This assessment will look at access management, improving intersection visibility and operations, future traffic demands, parking needs and the management of stormwater within the road right-of way, to improve safety, accessibility, and long-term functionality. This includes better signage, improved stormwater drainage, and safer accommodations for pedestrians and transit users.
Why are these roadways being upgraded now?
These roads were built before modern design standards and are no longer suitable for current needs. They need upgrades to address aging infrastructure, improve intersection visibility, and accommodate future traffic flow changes.
What does the conceptual design include?
The conceptual design includes the installation: of a dedicated right turn lane for 16th Street SW to 10th Ave SW; installation of gutter pan to capture and transport runoff to the City’s catch basins; lane delineation with updated pavement markings and signs. The design has been developed in alignment with current standards and shaped by feedback received from businesses during phase 1 engagement. Full design details are available on the project website.
Did the City consult with businesses before developing the design, and how was that feedback used?
Yes. During Phase 1, the City engaged directly with businesses along 16th Street and 8th Avenue through door knocking and drop-in engagement sessions. The feedback received was summarized in a What We Heard Report and used to inform the conceptual design. The Phase 1 What We Heard Report is available on the project website.
Why is the City engaging with the community again?
Phase 1 engagement focused on the businesses directly along 16th Street and 8th Avenue. Now that their feedback ahs been used to inform the conceptual design, the City wants to close the loop with those businesses by sharing what was heard and how it shaped the design. Phase 2 also broadens engagement to include the surrounding industrial area and nearby residential community. This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to review the conceptual design, ask questions, and share any final feedback before the design is finalized.
How can I share my feedback?
There are several ways to participate in Phase 2 engagement. You can complete the online survey on the project website by September 16, 2026, attend the in person open house on September 9, 2026, or contact the project team directly using the contact information on the project website.
Will parking and business access be affected during construction?
The goal is to minimize disruptions and mitigate access concerns to the SW Light Industrial Area for businesses in the long term. Maintaining access to businesses along 16th Street is a priority. Specific impacts to parking and access will depend on construction phasing and will be communicated to businesses in advance of construction.
When will construction begin?
Phase 2 engagement is currently underway to gather any final feedback before the design is finalized. Once the design is finalized and approved, construction timeline will be determined. At this time, construction on 16th Street is planned for 2027. More details will be provided as council sets budgets and timelines are confirmed.
How can I stay updated on the project’s progress?
The project website is the best place to stay informed. It will be updated as the project advances, including design updates and construction timelines. You can also contact the project team directly at 16StCorridor@medicinehat.ca if you have specific questions.
Construction FAQ
General construction impacts: Businesses and residents immediately adjacent to construction areas must receive written notice at least 14 days before work begins, with a follow‑up notice 7 days in advance.
Water and sanitary sewer interruptions:
Written notice provided at least 7 days in advance, and again at 24 hours in advance, for any planned interruption.
When interruptions are longer than 8 hours, temporary water services are required.
Where temporary water connection is needed, the contractor will coordinate an agreeable timing with affected residents a minimum of 7 days in advance.
If urgent conditions arise, contractors are required to provide as much notice as possible, including verbal notice when timelines are compressed.
Clear wayfinding and on‑site signage directing visitors to open businesses
Promotion of available and nearby parking options
Messaging that emphasizes businesses remain open, rather than highlighting construction disruption
Contractors must declare how many days they need to complete the work.
Finishing early results in a bonus payment per day.
Going over schedule results in penalties charged per day.
Will local contractors be prioritized?
Why this matters: Hiring local supports the economy and ensures contractors understand local conditions.
What the City is doing: The City values the role of local contractors and recognizes their knowledge of community conditions. However, City procurement must follow principles of fairness, including geographic neutrality and non‑discrimination. This means the City cannot award contracts based solely on locality.
That said, tender documents can include requirements related to responsiveness, communication, and project management, which help ensure contractors—local or not—are accountable and accessible once on site.
How will businesses be kept informed during construction?
Why this matters: Businesses need time to plan for road closures, water shut‑offs, and other disruptions.
What the City is doing:
While contractors are responsible for day‑to‑day construction communications once a project is awarded, the City builds mandatory notification requirements directly into project contracts. For Riverside and Downtown projects, these include:
These communication requirements are enforceable through the contract and are intended to provide businesses and residents with predictable, timely, and consistent information so they can prepare and reduce disruption as much as possible.
What happens if construction causes damage?
Why this matters: Businesses should not absorb costs from flooding, pipe breaks, or other construction-related damage.
What the City is doing: All contractors must carry insurance and meet strict liability requirements outlined in the tender documents. If damage occurs as a direct result of construction, claims are handled through the contractor’s insurance, with City oversight to help ensure appropriate resolution.
How will signage, parking, and advertising be handled?
Why this matters:
Construction messaging should promote access, not barriers, and clearly direct customers to open businesses as well as any detours for those passing through.
What the City is doing:
Project communications will prioritize keeping businesses visible and accessible during construction. This includes:
Where feasible, project budgets may support temporary signage, accessibility improvements, and promotional efforts. In previous downtown projects, the City has partnered with communications and economic development teams to deliver coordinated advertising campaigns encouraging continued visitation and to facilitate subsidized advertising opportunities for impacted businesses. Similar approaches may be explored for the Riverside and future Downtown projects, including options for additional or adjusted parking.
How will delays be prevented or addressed?
Why this matters:
Extended construction periods increase financial strain on businesses.
What the City is doing:
Most renewal projects include a Site Occupancy Clause within the contract, which creates strong financial incentives for timely completion:
In addition to the Site Occupancy Clause, tender documents may include provisions that support local presence and contractor responsiveness, an approach that has been successfully applied on many City projects and applies equally to all contractors, regardless of location.
Will businesses receive financial relief during construction?
Why this matters: Construction impacts often affect business operators directly.
What the City is doing:
The City is open to reviewing specific concerns from the business community and working collaboratively across Municipal Works, Environmental Utilities, Economic Development, and other departments to explore potential support measures. These discussions will focus on real impacts and practical assistance options.
How is construction timing being managed?
Why this matters: Summer is a peak season for tourism and activity.
What the City is doing:
Large infrastructure projects often require an entire construction season or more to complete due to project size and complexity or weather constraints. To reduce impacts to the adjacent community, work is phased to allow for the completion of one block or area before another is closed. This type of scheduling is designed to minimize prolonged disruption in one area.
Renewal projects in the downtown core have been carefully phased to limit the amount of construction occurring each year, helping manage costs while reducing cumulative disruption to residents, businesses, and seasonal activity. Utility and surface renewal projects within the downtown core are nearly complete and bring with them the reduced risk of unplanned or emergency disruptions, the improved reliability of water, sanitary, electrical, storm infrastructure and the renewed streetscape that will encourage visitors to the historic downtown.
Why can’t the City commit to firm construction dates right now?
Precise schedules depend on tendering outcomes, contractor availability, weather, and underground conditions that may not be fully known until work begins. The City will share timelines as soon as they are reasonably certain and offers tentatively scheduling years in advance through our public engagement efforts, which have included direct mailers to residents and businesses on estimated construction periods.
How does the City’s tendering process work?
Projects are awarded through a competitive process that balances cost, compliance with specifications, and accountability measures such as site occupancy and communication requirements. This ensures fairness while encouraging efficiency and responsiveness.