Infrastructure Renewal Drives Proposed Central Avenue Reconstruction

The City of Prince Albert is hosting an open house on April 28, 2026, to talk about the proposed Downtown Rebuild project, a major initiative to replace critical underground and surface infrastructure along Central Avenue.

The City’s new Strategic Plan identifies the renewal of Downtown as a priority.  A significant portion of this infrastructure, including water, sanitary, and stormwater services, dates back 120 years and has reached the end of its service life.

“Most of the pipes date back to around 1900, making them some of the oldest in the city,” said Evan Hastings, Capital Projects Manager. “This project is about replacing vital infrastructure while also giving us the opportunity to reimagine the streetscape.”

In addition to the technical requirements below ground, the scale of reconstruction creates an opportunity to reconsider how Central Avenue functions above ground once complete. The roadway surface, including pavement, concrete sidewalks, brick, and landscaping amenities, needs to be upgraded and replaced.

In 2018, the City undertook public engagement on downtown revitalization in anticipation of this. Residents identified safety, walkability, accessibility, adaptability, and improved wayfinding as key priorities, with a strong emphasis on designing a downtown that puts people first.

At that time, a one-way streetscape concept was selected. However, in the years since, cities across North America have increasingly shifted away from one-way downtowns after identifying challenges related to navigation, accessibility, and downtown economic activity. Many communities have returned to two-way streets to create more intuitive environments that better support people moving throughout the core.

“Before we move forward with the 2018 vision for downtown, we have a second chance to get this right,” said Kristina Karpluk, Planning Manager for the City of Prince Albert. “The priority is reliable infrastructure and a downtown built with people in mind, one that is walkable, adaptable and safe. The decisions we make now will shape how people experience downtown for the next 40 years or more, so incorporating lessons learned before we start is a must.”

If approved, construction will be completed over a multi-year timeline. Detailed schedules, traffic management plans, and business access updates will be shared in advance of each phase. The City remains committed to maintaining access to downtown businesses and keeping residents informed throughout the project.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to follow project updates and submit questions through the City’s website: www.citypa.ca/downtown

An open house on the proposed change to two-way traffic will be held on Tuesday, April 28, from 3 pm to 7 pm in the Foyer of City Hall. All residents are welcome.

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For more information, contact:

Kristina Karpluk
Planning Manager
City of Prince Albert

306.953-4884