Existing entrances to all homes and businesses will remain accessible. Brief restrictions or closures may occur due to construction activities, with alternate access routes provided as needed. Residents with mobility challenges or special needs are encouraged to reach out to the project team to ensure their requirements are appropriately accommodated.

Council has committed a $10,000 budget to support businesses during this project through a Town-led campaign and co-ordination with the Southampton BIA. Additionally, the Town will ensure well-marked, accessible pedestrian access to all businesses, post temporary directional signage, and maintain the flow of traffic through downtown whenever possible.

The anticipated construction period is from mid-May to late-September, as completing certain surface work (such as concrete and asphalt paving) late in the fall can compromise the quality of the work due to unpredictable weather conditions. An early start also helps to mitigate against risks of delays and spillover to the following season.

The trees along High Street are being removed due to concerns about their long term health, suitability to urban conditions, and the high likelihood of damage to their root system during construction which compromises their chance of survival.

As part of this project, there is a plan to significantly increase the overall number of trees, as well as include landscape plantings. The species of new trees have been chosen for optimal growth and success in a main street environment which, combined with the planting design, will be more sustainable for years to come.

View the Landscape Designs for a visual of what the street will look like in the future when the trees have matured.

Curb extensions were included in the High St design for a variety of safety and urban design reasons. Curb extensions are more pedestrian friendly because they:

• Provide shorter crossing distances which make it easier for pedestrians to get across

• Make it easier for drivers and pedestrians to see each other

• Encourage slower driving and provide increased stopping distances which together enhance safety

• Keep parked vehicles further from pedestrian crosswalks.

• Provide more space for benches, landscaping, signage, and lighting for a more inviting pedestrian experience

The intersection has been designed using a standard fire truck as the design vehicle, in accordance with established engineering standards and best practices for urban intersections of this type. As with typical urban intersections, drivers of larger vehicles will need to exercise additional care and caution.

The Town relies on the professional expertise of qualified engineering consultants to design projects that incorporate public input while also meeting regulatory requirements, technical standards, and long-term operational needs. The final design decisions were based on verified technical data and professional judgment.

Building on previous streetscape designs, this project has undergone extensive engineering design and public consultation to ensure meaningful improvements to Southampton’s downtown core.

Five (5) platforms were offered to express opinions on the design from July through September 2024. These opportunities consisted of:

• a Public Information Centre in July of 2024 at which 110 residents signed in and 58 comment sheets were submitted during or after the meeting

• online comments on the project website (180)

• comments submitted by email (63)

• Survey Questionnaire through the project website (111)

• Flashvote Survey (889 participants in 48 hours)

The results of community engagement (July to September 2024) were summarized in a report and presentation to Council in October 2024 which noted:

• The main community concern was that existing parking opportunities on High Street are limited.

• Design changes were needed to mitigate the loss of parking spaces.

• Streetscaping upgrades, including street furniture, landscaping and other improvements, including repairs to the road and sidewalks, were needed.

The project team took this feedback away and presented a revised design to Council in November which included the following changes:

• Curb extensions at intersections designed to be smaller to allow for more parking spaces.

• Removed the existing midblock crossing between Huron Street and Grosvenor Street and replaced it with parking spaces.

• Removed the two proposed midblock crossings (and pedestrian signals) between Grosvenor Street and Victoria Street and replaced them with parking spaces.

• The proposed raised island at Victoria Street was removed.

• Eight parking spaces for motorcycles/scooters added where there is insufficient space for a car.

• All way stops at intersections

• Net loss of parking spaces was reduced from 65 in the design presented in July to a net loss of 7 in the final design.

The contractor has appointed a Public Relations Officer (PRO) to handle inquiries related to the project. The PRO will serve as the primary point of contact for any construction-related concerns, with the contractor’s contact details provided below. R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited is overseeing the project on behalf of the Town. For any construction-related questions, residents may call or email a Burnside representative between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. All inquiries will be addressed as promptly as possible.