Changes are coming to Wellington Street North in Sherbrooke this summer. In order to make more space for restaurants and shops on the street who must contend with physical distancing regulations, the street is being converted to southbound traffic only from the end of June until October 17, with the section between Meadow and Albert Streets being converted to a pedestrian mall.
“We are working on this ‘friendly street’ project in close collaboration with the local businesses,” Said Sherbrooke Mayor Steve Lussier. “Sherbrooke residents will most likely stay in the region during their summer vacations and they will be able to enjoy a completely reinvented public space in the heart of our city.”
By narrowing Wellington to one lane, the hope is that pedestrians will have more space to spend time on the street while still respecting a two metre distance from others. Picnic tables, benches and flower boxes will be installed in the pedestrian mall area as well as in the Strathcona square in front of City Hall. The cost of the development is estimated at $ 90,000.
In a similar vein, a pop-up park like the one that had been set up on Wellington Street South prior to the start of the Well Sud development will also be created in the vacant lot next to the local employment centre on King Street West. The cost of this initiative is estimated at $40,000.
Parking will remain permitted on both sides of the street and spaces will be reserved for quick deliveries of 15 minutes or less.
The city is also studying the possibility of allowing the consumption of alcohol along the street as a part of the project. A decision on this subject is expected on June 15.
Wellington North opened up to pedestrians this summer
Record Staff
