Earlier this month, traffic pylons and construction cones were removed from Saskatchewan Avenue as an almost 4-year project winds down. While the work isn't 100% complete, traffic is flowing normally once again much to the excitement of the businesses along the one and a half kilometer stretch of Portage's main thoroughfare.
For many of those businesses, access to their shops was restricted at times and in some cases, quite confusing. It would be understandable that with the extra efforts needed, some patrons decided to go elsewhere. Most owners along the route agreed business was affected in a big way.
For most, they recognized the ends justified the means. New walking and bike paths along the route will allow for more foot traffic to the west end of the city and with the final touches being put in place, most agree it is much more visually appealing. While some have lost some parking in front of their stores, everything is also now paved and replaced by sidewalks, bike paths and green space.
Rhonda Lodwick, owner of What's the Scoop bore the full brunt of the construction pretty much from start to finish. In fact the ice cream shop opened around the same time the construction started. Lodwick is a big supporter of the community and was ecstatic when the cones were finally removed, even though the shop is now only open for special orders during the fall and winter.
"It was so exciting, just driving down the avenue and knowing people can now get to these businesses. Parking in front of the store is much easier now and so is turning onto 7th Street at the side of the shop. Knowing that people can just pull over and come in makes us excited for next year. You can park in your car now and get out safely. We're just so excited to see it all finally finished."
Mike Panko, owner of Panko's Food Centre at 16th Steet NW, saw access change for his store throughout the construction. The lifelong resident says it definitely affected the bottom line, especially in the summer of 2023.
"We don't get very many long weekends and for all of them that year the detours took people a long way from the store. These are huge for us. Many made the effort throughout the construction, but we also know some did not. We've lost some parking facing the avenue, but it sure looks a lot nicer. It seems traffic hasn't quite picked up on the avenue compared to where it was, I think people have gotten used to using Lorne Avenue instead. It may take people a while to get used to using this stretch once again but everyone at the store is happy. We are quite excited with how it turned out and that it is finally finished. It turned out nice."
While traffic is flowing as per usual again, the work is not totally done. Some finishing touches are needed in a few spots, but those projects aren't expected to produce any major detours and won't be lengthy. That work will be completed in 2025.
