3 Avenue South Beautification Planning

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Prior to the construction of Highway 3 (Crowsnest Tr), 3 Ave S functioned as the major road through Lethbridge along Highway 3 east and west of the City limits. Since Highway 3 was reconstructed (mid 1980s), 3 Ave S has transitioned to a commercial corridor between Scenic Dr S and Mayor Magrath Dr S. Because of these years of change, the functional and visual characteristics along 3 Ave S vary significantly making it disconnected and at times, dysfunctional.

The 3 Ave Beautification Project is a planning exercise that will take into consideration current businesses as well as existing planning documents such as: Transportation Master Plan, Heart of Our City Master Plan and Cycling Master Plan. Community engagement and feedback will be a critical part of this plan. We look forward to working with residents to create an exciting new vision for 3 Ave S. We are looking for feedback around how the corridor should function including traffic patterns, bike lanes, accesses, and parking is what we are looking for at this time from stakeholders.

This is NOT a confirmed construction project. This project is a planning exercise only that will guide future public and private investment and development along the corridor. This planning sets the frame work for future upgrades and we will incorporate community feedback into a plan that will ensure if and when improvements are made, they are done so in a strategic manner for the betterment of the corridor.

Again, construction is not imminent and is likely occur over the years from any combination of the following:

  • Infrastructure improvements that often occur when needed by the City for safety improvements or to preserve infrastructure that is funded through existing programs. This includes bulb outs like 12 B Ave, sidewalk repairs and replacements, crosswalk painting, street light upgrades, etc. and it is important we take those opportunity to improve and upgrade as opposed to simply replacing something, thus limiting the need to come back and redo in the future.

  • Private Investment occurring when a property is redeveloped along the corridor as the City attempts to ensure development fits aesthetically and contextually within its surroundings and this often includes upgrading of landscaping and infrastructure in the public realm including sidewalks, parking, driveways/accesses, and fixtures like street lights, garbage’s, and benches.

  • Larger scale capital improvements are the more significant capital construction projects that may be put forth and funded by Council at a later date. No funding has been considered or approved at this time.


Prior to the construction of Highway 3 (Crowsnest Tr), 3 Ave S functioned as the major road through Lethbridge along Highway 3 east and west of the City limits. Since Highway 3 was reconstructed (mid 1980s), 3 Ave S has transitioned to a commercial corridor between Scenic Dr S and Mayor Magrath Dr S. Because of these years of change, the functional and visual characteristics along 3 Ave S vary significantly making it disconnected and at times, dysfunctional.

The 3 Ave Beautification Project is a planning exercise that will take into consideration current businesses as well as existing planning documents such as: Transportation Master Plan, Heart of Our City Master Plan and Cycling Master Plan. Community engagement and feedback will be a critical part of this plan. We look forward to working with residents to create an exciting new vision for 3 Ave S. We are looking for feedback around how the corridor should function including traffic patterns, bike lanes, accesses, and parking is what we are looking for at this time from stakeholders.

This is NOT a confirmed construction project. This project is a planning exercise only that will guide future public and private investment and development along the corridor. This planning sets the frame work for future upgrades and we will incorporate community feedback into a plan that will ensure if and when improvements are made, they are done so in a strategic manner for the betterment of the corridor.

Again, construction is not imminent and is likely occur over the years from any combination of the following:

  • Infrastructure improvements that often occur when needed by the City for safety improvements or to preserve infrastructure that is funded through existing programs. This includes bulb outs like 12 B Ave, sidewalk repairs and replacements, crosswalk painting, street light upgrades, etc. and it is important we take those opportunity to improve and upgrade as opposed to simply replacing something, thus limiting the need to come back and redo in the future.

  • Private Investment occurring when a property is redeveloped along the corridor as the City attempts to ensure development fits aesthetically and contextually within its surroundings and this often includes upgrading of landscaping and infrastructure in the public realm including sidewalks, parking, driveways/accesses, and fixtures like street lights, garbage’s, and benches.

  • Larger scale capital improvements are the more significant capital construction projects that may be put forth and funded by Council at a later date. No funding has been considered or approved at this time.


  • Project Update December 2020

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    11 Dec 2020

    We want to thank you all for taking the time to reach out to us regarding the proposed cross sections that were highlighted in the survey along with your concerns regarding this project. Your feedback is valued and we want you to know that we are listening to each and every one of you.



    At this time, we will be taking a pause in this project. Although this is only a planning project, we understand with the current economic state that right now may not be the best time to properly engage with you on this project as there are a significant amount of pressures on your businesses already. When the timing is right in the New Year we would like to take the opportunity to present some updated cross section options based on the feedback that we received from you during the Phase B engagement. You are one of our significant stakeholders for this project and it is important that we have strong communication throughout the development of these future plans.



    We heard this is not the time for long range planning. We heard parking is very important. We heard the number of lanes is important.



    Again, we would like to thank you for all your feedback to date and look forward to starting with what we heard when the time is right.



    Please have a safe holiday and stay safe!!