The City of Prince Albert has secured $100,000 in provincial funding to improve traffic safety and pedestrian access along Marquis Road, with construction near the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre scheduled to begin Sept. 2.
The funding, awarded through the SGI Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant program, will support infrastructure changes designed to address vehicle movement concerns at the leisure centre entrance near A&W. The project will also introduce a safer and more accessible pedestrian crossing in an area where existing infrastructure has limited direct access for people travelling on foot or using mobility devices.
New Median Planned to Improve Traffic Flow on Marquis Road
A central component of the project is the construction of a median on Marquis Road. The city says the infrastructure is intended to address several ongoing traffic concerns involving vehicles entering and leaving the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre area.
Reported issues include westbound vehicles entering oncoming traffic, drivers making improper left turns at the right-in/right-out entrance, and westbound motorists attempting left turns into the intersection.
By physically directing traffic movements, the median is expected to make the entrance configuration clearer for motorists and reduce the opportunity for potentially unsafe manoeuvres.
The median will serve another purpose by functioning as a pedestrian refuge. This will allow pedestrians crossing Marquis Road to use the median as a protected stopping point rather than completing the entire crossing in a single movement.
Rotary Trail Extension to Add Accessible Crossing
The project also includes an extension of the Rotary Trail, providing what the city says will be the first accessible pedestrian crossing serving the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre.
Improving pedestrian connections has become increasingly important as the leisure centre area attracts visitors for recreation and other activities, while surrounding commercial properties generate additional vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Pedestrian signals are already installed at the intersection of Marquis Road and 6th Avenue. However, the existing configuration does not include a sidewalk or accessible ramps at that crossing, limiting its usefulness for pedestrians and people with mobility needs.
Extending the Rotary Trail and incorporating an accessible crossing will help close that infrastructure gap and create a more continuous pedestrian connection to the leisure centre.
Construction Scheduled to Begin Sept. 2
Construction is scheduled to begin Sept. 2 and is expected to take approximately three weeks. The timeline remains dependent on weather conditions, meaning the completion date could shift if crews encounter delays.
The work will take place in an active commercial area, but businesses are expected to remain accessible throughout construction.
The city said full access will remain available to each business during the project, including A&W and the nearby hotel. Maintaining access will be important for minimizing disruption to customers, employees and commercial operations while road and pedestrian improvements are completed.
Provincial Grant Supports Local Road Safety Investment
The $100,000 contribution comes through the SGI Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant program, which provides funding for community projects intended to improve traffic safety.
For Prince Albert, the grant allows the municipality to address both vehicle-related concerns and pedestrian accessibility through a single infrastructure project.
The improvements also reflect the changing transportation needs around the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre and the surrounding Marquis Road commercial corridor. As activity in the area increases, clearly defined vehicle movements and accessible pedestrian connections can play an important role in managing traffic and reducing conflicts between different road users.
Once completed, the new median and Rotary Trail extension are expected to provide motorists with a more clearly controlled entrance while giving pedestrians a dedicated refuge and accessible route across Marquis Road.
With construction beginning in early September, the project represents a targeted investment in Prince Albert’s transportation infrastructure aimed at improving safety while maintaining access to businesses throughout the construction period.