The 116 Avenue upgrades for 2024 have been completed, enhancing safety, efficiency and longevity as part of the City of Grande Prairie’s ongoing commitment to improving vital infrastructure.
This year’s construction on 116 Avenue was part of a multi-phase project aimed at addressing aging infrastructure and enhancing traffic flow. The section of road, originally part of Highway 43 (known as the bypass), was transferred to the City in September 2019 along with $20 million in provincial funding, which has been strategically allocated for necessary repairs and upgrades. As a key truck and dangerous goods route, 116 Avenue handles a significant volume of traffic, making these improvements critical for both local and commercial users.
Work Completed in 2024:
Work in 2024 focused on building upon previous upgrades to improve the roadway’s structure, traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Key accomplishments included road surface repairs, geometric adjustments, traffic signal enhancements and pedestrian crossing improvements. Additionally, a new storm vault was installed at the intersection of 102 Street and 116 Avenue to reduce flooding impacts during heavy rainfalls.
The 2024 work achieved several important milestones:
- Storm Lead Replacement: Deteriorated stormwater pipes were replaced with more durable, corrosion-resistant materials to strengthen infrastructure resilience.
- Storm Vault Installation: A new concrete storm vault was installed at 102 Street and 116 Avenue to manage stormwater by reducing water velocities and storm surcharging.
- Geometric Improvements: Adjustments to the road layout to improve traffic flow and safety, including:
- Extended turning lanes on 116 Avenue eastbound for both northbound and southbound traffic on 100 Street, designed to increase vehicle storage capacity and minimize traffic spillovers.
- A high-angle entry with an auxiliary overrun from 102 Street northbound to 116 Avenue eastbound, improving safety for right turns and bus traffic.
- Concrete and Asphalt Upgrades: Upgrades to curbs, gutters, sidewalks and road surfaces enhanced accessibility and safety for all users.
- Pedestrian Safety: New pedestrian signals and two porkchop islands at 102 Street and 116 Avenue were added to shorten crossing distances and reduce wait times for pedestrians.
Why This Work Was Necessary:
The work aimed to extend the life of the roadway and ensure it meets the needs of a growing community with increased traffic and pedestrian demands. Additionally, 116 Avenue, particularly around 102 Street, was identified in the City’s Stormwater Master Plan as a flood-prone area. Replacing deteriorated storm leads and installing a stormwater vault at the intersection of 102 Street and 116 Avenue has mitigated flooding risks, potential for sinkholes and improved drainage, especially during intense storm events.
“116 Avenue is a vital part of our city, connecting neighbourhoods, supporting businesses, and keeping us moving efficiently,” said Engineering Services Director Kristine Donnelly. “We understand the work has caused some disruptions and we appreciate your patience during these essential upgrades to ensure this key route meets the needs of our community today and into the future.”
Past Phases and Timeline:
Upgrades on 116 Avenue are part of a comprehensive, multi-year project, with the section formerly known as the bypass completed in two strategic phases in 2023 and 2024. Key achievements of the project include:
- 2024: 116 Avenue Phase 2 (102 Street to 100 Street).
- 2023: 116 Avenue Phase 1 (Bear Creek Bridges to 102 Street).
- 2022: 100 Street (116 Avenue to 128 Avenue).
- 2021: 108 Street (100 Avenue to Bear Creek Bridges) and 100 Street (128 Avenue to the North City Limits).
- 2020: 100 Avenue (108 Street to 124 Street).
Looking forward to 2025, the City is currently carrying out condition assessments on sections of 100 Avenue, west of 124 Street to the west city limits, to determine staging and phasing of future work, ensuring that the upgrades meet long-term community needs.
Details of this and upcoming construction work can be found in our Construction Map at cityofgp.com/construction
