Larch Street - Waterloo's first living street

Yesterday, at a regularly scheduled council meeting, staff presented an update regarding the reconstruction of Larch Street in the Northdale neighbourhood of Waterloo to a woonerf street. A woonerf street is a living, shared street designed to emphasize walking and cycling and to be a social space where people can meet and interact.

The city's Northdale Streetscape Master Plan included a recommendation to convert Larch Street (from Balsam Street to Hickory Street) to a woonerf street. The Northdale Streetscape Master Plan was initiated to develop design concepts and strategies for this neighbourhood's public spaces as well as reconstruction of its city streets. The preferred designs incorporate pedestrian and cycling facilities, on-street parking where needed, more public realm landscaping space, opportunities for lighting (both street and pedestrian) and underground infrastructure upgrades.

The study's direction is based on the city's vision for a vibrant neighbourhood with more attractive streets and public spaces. During the master planning process, input from the community indicated a strong preference for more active transportation options in the Northdale community.

Larch Street will integrate all users (automobiles, cyclists and pedestrians) within the same right-of-way and without boundaries separating the users. As part of the reconstruction, all underground municipal infrastructure will be replaced, including sanitary sewer, storm sewer, watermain and sanitary and water services up to the common property lines. Surface works will include new road structure and landscape features (planters, bike racks, posts, benches, waste receptacles, etc.)

Construction is expected to begin in May 2020 with completion and a grand opening expected by the end of August, 2020. In the early part 2020, there will be opportunities for residents to provide input into the choice of amenities for the street including, seating, artwork and more. More information will be available on engagewr.ca/waterloo. Stay tuned!

Media contact:
Janice Works
Manager, Communications
519-747-8731
TTY: 1-866-786-3941
janice.works@waterloo.ca