The Canadian Rocky Mountain township of Banff in Alberta, has completed a yearlong reconstruction and upgrade project of Bear Street, creating a pedestrian priority street right in the heart of town.  Pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle drivers are now welcomed as equal users of the road, a concept modelled after the popular Dutch idea of 'Woonerf,' or living street.

The $9.5 million project transformed the former commercial hub into a pedestrian friendly vibrant street, to shop, dine, view galleries, rent bikes, skis or simply relax and take in the Rocky Mountain vistas as restrictions ease across Canada.

New restaurants also line the street, with Banff Hospitality Collective opening Three Bears Brewery complete with a retractable roof, beer garden, and patios to enjoy live music in summer,  plus Hello Sunshine servicing Japanese cuisine with a karaoke vibe.

Up to 90,000 interlocking paver blocks that cover the entire street create a pedestrian plaza feel to Bear Street, reminiscent of old European town squares. The street is also accessible for varying degrees of mobility.  There are no curbs, and the street is one level from buildings on one side of the street to the other, making it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.  

Landscaping and trees will provide ample shade for people lingering on the street, while the pattern of block pavers encourages pedestrians to cross everywhere.  The removal of a painted centre line, and the addition of traffic calming features is a reminder to vehicle drivers that they are a guest and must proceed cautiously.   

Supporting sustainability, the area was designed with energy-efficient street lighting, while underground earthworks added soil cell technology that collects all storm water and filters it.  The technology automatically irrigates 80 new trees and landscaping on Bear Street, whilst cleaning drainage before draining into the storm water system. 

The design and ambience of Bear Street is intended to disperse the flow of visitors to the alpine township and free up the ever-popular Banff Avenue. Currently, Banff Avenue has five times as many pedestrians as Bear Street.  Now finalised, Bear Street is a new way to experience downtown Banff, levelling the distribution of visitors over more pedestrian areas in the downtown community.  

Visitors are encouraged to park their car and explore Bear Street by foot or bike hire.  Train access is also an option with the station only a 10 minute walk to the new street experience. Canada opens to the world on 7 September, provided that Canada's COVID-19 epidemiology remains favourable, the federal government intends to open Canada's borders for recreational travel by fully-vaccinated travellers from any country.

For more information on Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada see www.banfflakelouise.com