Improvements to the intersection of 17th Street and 8th Avenue are planned for the summer of 2011. The project has two main objectives, improve the pedestrian crossing of 17th Street, and reduce flooding of the intersection in rainfall events. 

 Pedestrian Improvements

8th Avenue is a heavily used pedestrian corridor leading to both Canmore Collegiate High School and the Canmore Recreation Centre. Crossing 17th Avenue has been historically challenging for pedestrians due to higher vehicle traffic volumes and long crossing distances. To add to these challenges 8th Avenue south of 17th Street is not in line with 8th Avenue north of 17th Street.
Once complete the intersection will be better aligned, include overhead pedestrian crossing signals, and there will be curb extensions (bulbs) to shorten the crossing distances for pedestrians while also reducing speeds of motorists. In addition the overhead crossing signals will have lighting to keep pedestrians more visible at night.

Drainage Improvements

The intersection of 17th Street at 8th Avenue collects storm water from a large area in all directions. Ground water levels in the area are also near the surface of the road for several months each year. With the large collection area and high ground water it is difficult to for the storm drains to accommodate rainfall events and in the past large portions of the intersection have been covered by water.

Though it is not feasible to eliminate ponding within the intersection for larger rainfall events, the project will aim to reduce the puddles associated with smaller events by replacing all four existing storm drains with new catch basins. The new catch basins will be piped to a unit that will remove oils and particles from the runoff water, then the cleaned water will enter the ground through two large dry wells.
A concrete gutter will be constructed across the entrance to Industrial Place to more effectively direct water to the new catch basins at 8th Avenue.

Landscape Improvements

In conjunction with the intersection improvements the project will also complete landscaping of the drainage swale on 8th Avenue between 15th Street and 17th Street, with plenty of shrubs and rundle stone to beautify the roadway and sidewalk. 

 Concept sketch showing approximately what the newly constructed intersection will look like.