Expect traffic delays to continue on Jasper Avenue through the winter.
The streetscape and LRT project on the busy avenue is far behind schedule. Another lane of traffic along Jasper Avenue, between 100 and 102 street, was supposed to have opened last month. The north sidewalk also remains surrounded by work fences.
The city is blaming the delay on a wet July and November snowstorm. Construction is so far behind that crews will work through the winter, which means motorists and businesses will continue to suffer.
“We chose this location because we’re excited to have a restaurant downtown and also to be part of the business community downtown, and we wanted basically the biggest bang for our buck,” said Jeff Van Den Biggelaar who owns ‘De Dutch, a restaurant that sits directly in front of the construction.
The doors to ‘De Dutch’ opened in November. The owners believe the construction delay has affected their bottom line.
“It’s affected us quite a bit. It’s really hard to gauge, but, I mean, without the foot traffic and people driving by it, we do lack exposure that way. So, it hasn’t helped us, let’s just put it that way,” explained Van Den Biggelaar.
Van Den Biggelaar says he’s been told one side of the street will open by the end of January, but he don’t trust the timeline because it’s already changed twice.
The city maintains the project will be on schedule and on budget by the spring.
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