About the project
The 3rd Street NE/NW corridor, nestled in the Riverside neighbourhood, serves as a vital transportation route and connection to residential, commercial, and community services for our community. The roadway is showing significant signs of deterioration and is now in very poor condition. The need for rehabilitation has become critical.
We are pleased to share the news that funds are in place to create a long term solution to the deteriorated road conditions on this beautiful, tree canopied section of historic roadway in Medicine Hat.
This project will repair the road, improve the safety of the roadway for drivers, active transportation users, and pedestrians. It will also incorporate strategic replacement of aging water, sewer, and storm water infrastructure, and any necessary utility improvements for electric and gas services.
We are asking for public feedback on the initial design concepts for this corridor. To learn more about how you can influence aspects of the design keep reading!
For images of the current preliminary concept for 3rd Street NE/NW, please click the links below:
By the end of 2025, we will have a detailed design package for tender and construction over two seasons (2026 and 2027).
Project goals
This project is more than just a road upgrade; it is a comprehensive initiative designed to bring a wide range of benefits to the Riverside neighborhood and the broader Medicine Hat community. The project’s benefits are far-reaching, including socio-economic, environmental, and health improvements.
Improved safety of the roadway for all users is the key driver. The introduction of traffic calming measures and the expansion of the pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure will significantly improve the level of safety for all users of the roadway. One of the most important design objectives of this project will be to promote a ‘complete streets’ roadway concept that focuses on traffic calming principles and promotes active modes of transportation through the corridor while maintaining the functionality and serviceability of this arterial roadway for vehicular traffic. To learn more about the 'complete streets' concept, check out these design standards.
Project goals include:
Safety | Trail connection | User experience |
- 🚥 Traffic calming measures
- 🔊 Reduce speed and noise of traffic
- 🚸 Shorten pedestrian crossings
- 👓 Improve sightlines for pedestrians
- 💡 Greater illumination at night
| - 🚴♂️ Active transportation
- 👣 Expand the trail system
- 👍 Enhance trail connectivity to existing network
| - 💺 Street furniture improvements
- 💧 Drainage improvements / reduce water ponding
|
Project benefits
Support for Local Businesses: With safer and more attractive streets, local businesses along 3rd Street will benefit from increased foot traffic and a more welcoming environment. Pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure will encourage people to visit the commercial strip, boosting sales, and supporting the local economy.
Healthier Communities: The project promotes active transportation, encouraging residents to walk and cycle more often. This shift to healthier modes of transportation will help reduce health issues associated with sedentary lifestyles, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Encouraging physical activity will contribute to better public health outcomes.
Reduction in Carbon Emissions: By promoting walking and cycling, the project will reduce the reliance on vehicles, leading to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. This shift towards active transportation will help improve air quality and contribute to the City’s broader sustainability efforts.
Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities will directly benefit from the project’s focus on accessibility. By improving accessibility for everyone, the project will contribute to a more inclusive environment for all members of the community, regardless of age or abilit
Why is this happening
Feedback collected throughout the drafting of the Riverside Neighbourhood Plan has made clear residents of the neighbourhood have long been concerned with the high speeds of the traffic on this very wide and long stretch of road, particularly for the safety of children and vulnerable populations. This project is also supported by numerous public service requests and collision data that point to a need for infrastructure development along this corridor.
Below is visual representation of the reported collisions along the corridor within a 10 year period between 2012 - 2021 to indicate the collision 'hot spots' along the corridor.
Accompanying public requests for improvement, this project is aligned with numerous strategic plans and overarching regulation.
The City's draft Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which includes active transportation and transportation safety strategies, takes into account evolving transportation infrastructure requirements to accommodate growth and cater to the changing needs of travelers. The Municipal Development Plan guides the TMP. While the Transportation Association of Canada sets the standards required for roads and urban transportation.
This project also connects to 2018's Riverside Neighbourhood Plan, which outlines a vision for development in the area and includes some ties to this corridor project including public support for the roadway development. Below is a conceptual rendering from this plan showing similar road and pedestrian designs.
Who is involved?
Riverside is one of the oldest and most diverse neighbourhoods within the City of Medicine Hat. Situated along the South Saskatchewan River, this primarily residential neighbourhood also contains numerous local amenities including a popular neighbourhood commercial area, religious establishments, an outdoor ice rink, natural areas and leisure trails. Interested in learning more about your neighbourhood? Click here for some of Riverside's history and future vision.
This project directly impacts the residents, and businesses of the Riverside neighbourhood, but also impacts commuters, and drivers who frequently use 3rd Street as a connection to the various facilities in the area including our historic downtow
How can you influence this project?
While there are many technical aspects of this project that are regulated and not open to public input, there are numerous ways you can influence this project:
- 🚸 Crossing locations
- 🚗 Parking locations
- 💡 Lighting levels
- 🌳 Boulevard landscaping options
- ♿ Accessible parking locations
- 🚌 Bus stop location and improvements
- 💺 Street furniture selection and location inpu
- ⚠️ Drainage issue locations or other issues that we need to know about
- 👷♀️ Construction phasing to minimize disruption to your business or home
How can you get involved
The project team, including Associated Engineering consultants, will be working with interest and affected groups to refine the concept before construction starting in spring 2026 and lasting through 2027.
- Read through the materials on this page to fully inform yourself about the project.
- Review the What We Heard report for the open house hosted on Thursday, May 1 at Big Marble Go Centre.
- Share your feedback using the park mapping tool below.
- Attend a fall open house, date to be announced.
About the project
The 3rd Street NE/NW corridor, nestled in the Riverside neighbourhood, serves as a vital transportation route and connection to residential, commercial, and community services for our community. The roadway is showing significant signs of deterioration and is now in very poor condition. The need for rehabilitation has become critical.
We are pleased to share the news that funds are in place to create a long term solution to the deteriorated road conditions on this beautiful, tree canopied section of historic roadway in Medicine Hat.
This project will repair the road, improve the safety of the roadway for drivers, active transportation users, and pedestrians. It will also incorporate strategic replacement of aging water, sewer, and storm water infrastructure, and any necessary utility improvements for electric and gas services.
We are asking for public feedback on the initial design concepts for this corridor. To learn more about how you can influence aspects of the design keep reading!
For images of the current preliminary concept for 3rd Street NE/NW, please click the links below:
By the end of 2025, we will have a detailed design package for tender and construction over two seasons (2026 and 2027).
Project goals
This project is more than just a road upgrade; it is a comprehensive initiative designed to bring a wide range of benefits to the Riverside neighborhood and the broader Medicine Hat community. The project’s benefits are far-reaching, including socio-economic, environmental, and health improvements.
Improved safety of the roadway for all users is the key driver. The introduction of traffic calming measures and the expansion of the pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure will significantly improve the level of safety for all users of the roadway. One of the most important design objectives of this project will be to promote a ‘complete streets’ roadway concept that focuses on traffic calming principles and promotes active modes of transportation through the corridor while maintaining the functionality and serviceability of this arterial roadway for vehicular traffic. To learn more about the 'complete streets' concept, check out these design standards.
Project goals include:
Safety | Trail connection | User experience |
- 🚥 Traffic calming measures
- 🔊 Reduce speed and noise of traffic
- 🚸 Shorten pedestrian crossings
- 👓 Improve sightlines for pedestrians
- 💡 Greater illumination at night
| - 🚴♂️ Active transportation
- 👣 Expand the trail system
- 👍 Enhance trail connectivity to existing network
| - 💺 Street furniture improvements
- 💧 Drainage improvements / reduce water ponding
|
Project benefits
Support for Local Businesses: With safer and more attractive streets, local businesses along 3rd Street will benefit from increased foot traffic and a more welcoming environment. Pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure will encourage people to visit the commercial strip, boosting sales, and supporting the local economy.
Healthier Communities: The project promotes active transportation, encouraging residents to walk and cycle more often. This shift to healthier modes of transportation will help reduce health issues associated with sedentary lifestyles, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Encouraging physical activity will contribute to better public health outcomes.
Reduction in Carbon Emissions: By promoting walking and cycling, the project will reduce the reliance on vehicles, leading to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. This shift towards active transportation will help improve air quality and contribute to the City’s broader sustainability efforts.
Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities will directly benefit from the project’s focus on accessibility. By improving accessibility for everyone, the project will contribute to a more inclusive environment for all members of the community, regardless of age or abilit
Why is this happening
Feedback collected throughout the drafting of the Riverside Neighbourhood Plan has made clear residents of the neighbourhood have long been concerned with the high speeds of the traffic on this very wide and long stretch of road, particularly for the safety of children and vulnerable populations. This project is also supported by numerous public service requests and collision data that point to a need for infrastructure development along this corridor.
Below is visual representation of the reported collisions along the corridor within a 10 year period between 2012 - 2021 to indicate the collision 'hot spots' along the corridor.
Accompanying public requests for improvement, this project is aligned with numerous strategic plans and overarching regulation.
The City's draft Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which includes active transportation and transportation safety strategies, takes into account evolving transportation infrastructure requirements to accommodate growth and cater to the changing needs of travelers. The Municipal Development Plan guides the TMP. While the Transportation Association of Canada sets the standards required for roads and urban transportation.
This project also connects to 2018's Riverside Neighbourhood Plan, which outlines a vision for development in the area and includes some ties to this corridor project including public support for the roadway development. Below is a conceptual rendering from this plan showing similar road and pedestrian designs.
Who is involved?
Riverside is one of the oldest and most diverse neighbourhoods within the City of Medicine Hat. Situated along the South Saskatchewan River, this primarily residential neighbourhood also contains numerous local amenities including a popular neighbourhood commercial area, religious establishments, an outdoor ice rink, natural areas and leisure trails. Interested in learning more about your neighbourhood? Click here for some of Riverside's history and future vision.
This project directly impacts the residents, and businesses of the Riverside neighbourhood, but also impacts commuters, and drivers who frequently use 3rd Street as a connection to the various facilities in the area including our historic downtow
How can you influence this project?
While there are many technical aspects of this project that are regulated and not open to public input, there are numerous ways you can influence this project:
- 🚸 Crossing locations
- 🚗 Parking locations
- 💡 Lighting levels
- 🌳 Boulevard landscaping options
- ♿ Accessible parking locations
- 🚌 Bus stop location and improvements
- 💺 Street furniture selection and location inpu
- ⚠️ Drainage issue locations or other issues that we need to know about
- 👷♀️ Construction phasing to minimize disruption to your business or home
How can you get involved
The project team, including Associated Engineering consultants, will be working with interest and affected groups to refine the concept before construction starting in spring 2026 and lasting through 2027.
- Read through the materials on this page to fully inform yourself about the project.
- Review the What We Heard report for the open house hosted on Thursday, May 1 at Big Marble Go Centre.
- Share your feedback using the park mapping tool below.
- Attend a fall open house, date to be announced.
