The Two-way Street Advantage | City of Prince Albert

In many Canadian urban centres, downtown one-way streets originally designed to move traffic quickly through the core are being converted back to two-way traffic. This shift reflects a broader urban planning trend focused on creating streets that are safer, easier to navigate, and more welcoming to pedestrians and local businesses. Two-way streets slow vehicle speeds, improve access to shops and services, and encourage people to explore downtown rather than simply passing through. Cities are finding that restoring two-way traffic supports vibrant, accessible, and economically active urban cores, while also enhancing wayfinding and overall connectivity.

Here’s a direct quote from Jeff Speck that’s often used in discussions about one‑way vs two‑way streets and walkability. This comes from his discussion in Walkable City about how one‑way streets can hinder street life and why many urban planners recommend returning key routes to two‑way traffic to improve safety, business visibility, and overall downtown activity.

If your downtown lacks vitality and it’s got one‑ways, it’s probably time for a change.

Jeff Speck

Downtown Rebuild

Central Avenue Underground Infrastructure Upgrade

There is an urgent need to upgrade the underground infrastructure and road surface on Central Ave.
Some water and sanitary pipes date back to 1900, and sections of storm pipes to 1906.
The underground system consists of various materials, including cast iron, PVC, and clay tile.
This project will evaluate Central Avenue as a whole. It has been determined that many pipes need to be upsized to meet current hydraulic capacity, a task that will require conventional excavation and replacement.
Significant portions of crown infrastructure also need to be modified through digging and repair.

Two-way traffic on Central Avenue

Typically, the more concrete you put into the street, in this case, for two-way, two-lane traffic with parallel parking, it’s most similar to what we have right now. It’s also the most cost-effective option.

Beyond cost, a two-way street supports a positive downtown vibe. It provides several benefits over a one-way street:

Business access: Two-way traffic makes it easier for people to reach downtown businesses. Transit potential: It allows for the possibility of adding transit routes that can efficiently transport people north and south along Central Avenue, connecting key destinations like City Hall.
Downtown accessibility: Right now, our downtown has an unusual layout with one one-way street, and the only connection is 1st Ave E, which sometimes has to close for maintenance. A two-way street simplifies navigation for drivers and pedestrians.
City operations: Two-way streets make it easier for the City to manage services such as snow removal and other maintenance tasks.

Overall, two-way traffic makes downtown more user-friendly, accessible, and functional while supporting economic activity and city operations.

Some Questions and Answers on Two-Way Traffic

Will two-way traffic make it harder for customers to navigate downtown compared to the one-way system?
Two-way streets are generally easier for drivers to understand and navigate, especially for visitors unfamiliar with downtown. Drivers can approach businesses from either direction, which can improve access and encourage more visits.

How will two-way traffic affect delivery trucks and loading zones?
Loading zones will be preserved or adjusted to suit two-way traffic. Delivery trucks will be able to access businesses from both directions, improving efficiency rather than limiting access.

How will the change impact pedestrian safety?
Two-way streets often encourage slower vehicle speeds, which improves pedestrian safety. Crosswalks and sidewalks will be designed to enhance visibility and accessibility.

Will local businesses see changes in traffic patterns that could affect visibility?
Two-way traffic increases the likelihood that more drivers will pass by your business from both directions, potentially increasing visibility and attracting more customers.

How will two-way traffic impact public transit routes downtown?
Two-way streets make it easier to route buses and shuttles in both directions, improving transit access to downtown businesses and making it more convenient for customers.

Case Studies

Cities are making the change from one-way to two-way traffic

One-way to two-way street conversion has proven to be a successful tool for urban revitalization in Canadian cities recovering from the same disinvestment and decline that Prince Albert has experienced.

Here are 10 Canadian cities or examples where downtown one‑way streets have been converted to two‑way traffic (or are planning to), along with reasons why:

Hamilton, Ontario – Sections of downtown streets like Queen Street and James Street have been converted from one‑way to two‑way to slow traffic, improve pedestrian access, and support local businesses as part of long‑term revitalization plans. One Planner from Hamilton noted: “People were convinced that if traffic, if two-way streets cause traffic congestion, it would kill the businesses,” and concluded that “…it was in fact just the opposite”.
St. Catharines, Ontario – The city converted major core arteries from one‑way to two‑way starting in the late 2000s to make navigation easier and encourage people to explore the downtown rather than just pass through it.
Vancouver, British Columbia – Downtown plans have included converting streets such as Carrall and Cambie back to two‑way to improve accessibility, wayfinding, and support multi‑modal transport options.
Oshawa, Ontario – The city has approved plans to convert multiple one‑way streets around its urban core (including Albert and Celina) to two‑way as part of efforts to strengthen downtown movement and local access.
Oakville, Ontario – Past downtown redesigns removed one‑way streets in favour of two‑way operation to simplify navigation and better integrate street life with the rest of the community.
Brantford, Ontario (planned) – As noted in master planning documents, downtown Brantford is proposing converting streets like Dalhousie and Colborne back to two‑way to slow traffic and improve wayfinding.
London, Ontario (studying potential) – While not a full conversion yet, London is actively reviewing one‑way street conversions downtown to improve accessibility and reduce confusion for local traffic.
Calgary, Alberta (historic) – Calgary completed some downtown one‑way to two‑way street conversions in the mid‑2000s as transportation planning evolved to better support street‑level activity and downtown connectivity.

Key Reasons Cities Are Abandoning One-Way Streets

To support downtown business activity.
Two-way streets slightly slow vehicles, increase storefront visibility, and make it easier for customers to reach businesses.
To improve navigation for visitors.
One-way grids can confuse drivers unfamiliar with the area. Two-way streets are more intuitive and reduce wrong turns and circling.
To calm traffic and improve safety.
One-way streets tend to encourage higher speeds. Two-way conversions reduce speeding, cut crash severity, and improve pedestrian safety.
To create people-friendly, walkable downtowns.
Calmer traffic makes the area more comfortable for walking, biking, and lingering—core elements of successful main streets.
To reduce collision rates.
Studies show that two-way streets can reduce total crashes and especially dangerous high-speed collisions common on one-way corridors.
To improve equity and accessibility.
Two-way networks provide more direct routes to essential services, reducing unnecessary detours and time costs for all users.
To support redevelopment and property values.
Many cities see reinvestment, renovations, and rising property values after converting to two-way traffic.
To match modern transportation goals.
Cities are prioritizing multimodal travel—walking, transit, cycling—over fast car throughput. One-way streets were designed for speed, not modern urban needs.
To improve emergency response routing.
Two-way streets simplify navigation for EMS, fire, and police, reducing turnarounds and unnecessary routing.

History: One-way Street introduced in Prince Albert

In Prince Albert, the new one-way street system was introduced at 9:00 a.m. on September 11, 1963. Only Central Avenue and First Avenue West were converted; all other streets and the viaduct remained two-way. One-way signs were uncovered by city crews at the appointed hour. New traffic lights, including walk signals for pedestrians, had been installed. “I would ask all citizens to familiarize themselves with the change,” Mayor Allan Barsky told the Herald. “I feel sure that in due course, one-way street driving will become second nature to them.”

Read the whole article here.