Speedvale Avenue East improvements

About the project

The City of Guelph is improving the Speedvale Avenue corridor, from Elmira Road North to Stevenson Street. This multi-year project will transform Speedvale Avenue to achieve the City’s overall vision for the road. Infrastructure upgrades, active transportation improvements and bridge replacement work, will improve the quality of Speedvale Avenue for people who walk, cycle, drive, or take public transit in the area. The upgrades will improve access to local businesses and improve the corridor for commercial and transport industries that rely on the railway system.

The improvements along Speedvale Avenue have been separated into two programs of work:

  1. Speedvale Avenue East (Glenwood Avenue to Stevenson Street)
  2. Speedvale Avenue West (Elmira Road to Glenwood Avenue). Information on the Speedvale Avenue West program.

The Speedvale Avenue East upgrades will be completed under various construction contracts over several years.

Phase 1 – Glenwood Avenue to east of Guelph Junction Railway tracks (ongoing – planned end 2024)

The work in this section includes:

  • widening the road to accommodate two travel lanes in each direction
  • new sidewalks or multi-use paths
  • upgraded underground infrastructure including sanitary and storm sewer pipes and watermains
  • new railway gates at the railway crossing at Speedvale Avenue and Woolwich Street for added safety

Ongoing work at the intersection is anticipated to be completed end of October 2024.

Map of project area

Speedvale Avenue East improvements map

Phase 2 – Speed River bridge replacement (planned start 2026)

The work in this section includes:

  • Replacement of the Speed River bridge with a four-lane bridge that will provide two vehicle lanes in each direction and multiuse paths in both travel directions.
  • Temporary utility relocations to accommodate the bridge replacement
  • Upgraded underground infrastructure including sanitary and storm sewer pipes and watermains

The design of the bridge is being completed now. Construction of the bridge is scheduled to start in 2026. Residents can expect to see utility relocations taking place on Speedvale Avenue from Woolwich Street to the bridge in 2025 in advance of the bridge replacement starting in 2026. Construction details will be shared with the public via an open house prior to construction beginning. Updates will be posted on this webpage.

Map of project area

Speed River bridge replacement map

Phase 3 – Riverview Drive to Manhattan Court (planned start 2028)

The reconstruction of Speedvale Avenue involves the following work:

  • Upgrade the existing storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water mains
  • Replace existing sanitary and water services from the new mains to the property line
  • Install curb and gutter, and sidewalks
  • Repave the road

The design of the road is being completed now. Construction is scheduled to start in 2028. Construction details will be shared with the public in 2025 via an open house prior to construction beginning. Updates will be posted on this webpage.

Map of project area

Riverview Drive to Manhattan Court map

The environmental assessment process

The Environmental Assessment (EA) was conducted as a Schedule ‘A+’ Project in accordance with the “Municipal Class Environmental Assessment” (Municipal Engineers Association, October 2000, as amended in 2007 and 2011) which is an approved process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The public consultation process was performed as a Schedule ‘B’ Project which includes public and review agency consultation, an evaluation of alternatives for the bridge replacement design only and an assessment of potential environmental effects of the proposed improvements. The EA was completed in June 2015.

Community engagement during the environmental assessment process

A key component of the study is consultation with interested groups and members of the public. The first public open house was held on February 13, 2014, to review and discuss issues related to the project. The second public open house was held on April 9, 2014, to present the preferred option and to obtain public feedback.

Virtual open house materials March-April 2021

Project information package

Detailed street plan for Speedvale construction

Detailed street plan for Speedvale and Woolwich intersection

Project overview, timelines and structural designs

Documents

Map for Speedvale

Staff Report to IDE Committee – June 2, 2015

Followup Summary: Speedvale IDE Committee meeting – June 2, 2015

Speedvale East Reconstruction – Property Impact Summary

Speedvale Preliminary Estimate Summary – June 2015

For more information

Please contact our project team if you have questions, comments or would like to be added to the project mailing list.

Steven Di Pietro, Supervisor Project Delivery Support
Engineering and Transportation Services
226-820-0154
steven[email protected]

Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.