3 Avenue South Beautification Functional Planning - Stafford Drive to Mayor Magrath Drive

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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 S 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.


To learn more about past engagement and the work that has been done for the functional planning study to date please take a look at the presentation boards from our most recent open house event. https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/12910/widgets/51852/documents/91222


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 S 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.


To learn more about past engagement and the work that has been done for the functional planning study to date please take a look at the presentation boards from our most recent open house event. https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/12910/widgets/51852/documents/91222

  • Project Update October 2022

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    Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our team analyzed the 3 Ave S corridor and developed a number of designs for input from the community. Work completed to date includes:


    • Existing conditions review,

    • Drawing in dialogue,

    • Design option development,

    • Engagement on design options, and

    • 2 Ave S and 3 Ave S bicycle route comparison.


    Using feedback we’ve heard to date on the project to date, The City has confirmed a recommended cross section to be advanced to the functional design stage. This cross section will include three travel lanes, two parking lanes, and enhanced spaces for walking and cycling. There will also be room for additional landscaping within the road right of way.

    We heard from your feedback that additional trees and landscaping within the roadway were a priority, along with crossing improvements for people walking. Stakeholders within the project area also highlighted concerns relating to potential loss of parking along 3 Avenue S and increased travel time for people driving. We heard these concerns, and have incorporated them as part of our recommended cross section.

    We are now at a stage of gathering feedback on the recommended cross section, and will be incorporating that feedback into a draft functional design for 3 Avenue S between Stafford Drive and Mayor Magrath Drive between November and December. We will present the draft functional design to stakeholders for final input prior to Council approval in early 2023.

  • Project Update December 2020

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    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!!

Page last updated: 05 Feb 2024, 10:44 AM