A major downtown block could be shut down for 11 months — starting in July — after a city committee decided Wednesday full closure was the best option.
The narrow 4-3 vote — which will go to council next week — came despite concerns about the impact closing 6th Avenue between Centre Street and 1st Street S.E. will have on downtown traffic.
“I think we’re about to experience rush house hell in the mornings,” Ald. Ray Jones said.
The closure is needed for the construction of the 58-storey EnCana office tower, specifically for the six-storey underground parkade that will be built on both sides of 6th Avenue and underneath the road.
A partial closure of the stretch between Centre Street and 1st Street S.E. — where the 58-storey EnCana office tower will be built — would drag out the rush-hour chaos for up to 17 months, according to a report.
The report also contains plans for re-routing traffic during the construction phase.
Buses would run the wrong way along two lanes of 1st Street S.E. and then down 5th Avenue. It estimates the change would add one to two minutes to transit travel time.
Those driving in or out of the downtown can expect commutes up to 15 per cent longer, depending on the time of day, as they skirt the closed block.
