Downtown Transportation and Streetscape

The Downtown Transportation and Streetscape Study (DTS) assessed traffic and roadway conditions in downtown Oakville and made recommendations to enhance the roadways, beautify streets and improve pedestrian/cycle ways, as well as increasing connectivity, mobility and accessibility.

Downtown Transportation and Streetscape Study Final Report

Lakeshore Road reconstruction

After two phases of reconstruction, the transformation of Lakeshore Road East is complete and  re-opened to vehicles, cyclists and shoppers. 

The Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project launched in 2019 and was completed over a two-year period. 

• What's underground has been overhauled, with new storm sewers, sanitary sewers and utility improvements that include internet upgrades, new hydro lines, water pipes and other renewal work. 
• Enhanced tree-lined boulevards designed for vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian traffic, balance the needs of all modes of transportation.
• George Street is flexible for special events and festivals, allowing residents and visitors to experience the many activities it hosts each year. 
• A two metre marketing zone in front of each storefront allows restaurants and retailers to use street space as part of their downtown presence.
• Smart technology has been added, including public Wi-Fi, traffic counters and electric vehicle charging stations. 
• The new street layout provides shoppers with an increased number of parking spaces and businesses with new commercial loading zones.

Two-way traffic conversion

As part of the Downtown Plan, we converted existing one-way streets in downtown Oakville to two-way streets. The streets affected included:

• Thomas Street
• Dunn Street
• George Street
• Randall Street
• Church Street
• Navy Street

Bridge at Sixteen Mile Creek

The Lakeshore Road Bridge at Sixteen Mile Creek reconstruction took place in advance of the road project as inspections of the bridge revealed its condition warranted immediate attention. 

• The new bridge opened on November 17, 2017, approximately one month ahead of schedule.
• The bridge features two travel lanes and bikes lanes; a wider pedestrian sidewalk with a barrier wall to separate the sidewalk and vehicular traffic; new pedestrian railings and lookouts as well as LED lighting.
• The approximate life span of the new bridge is 75 years.
• The new bridge replaces a 50-year-old bridge that carried approximately 15,000 vehicles across every day before it was torn down.
• The overall project budget for the new structure, including engineering design, contracted construction and project management costs was just over $10 million.