A complete street that reflects Oakville’s character and minimizes impact on the environment
Downtown Oakville’s Lakeshore Road, its signature retail hub, is transforming into a flexible complete street which reflects Oakville’s unique character while minimizing its impact on the environment. Brook McIlroy is leading the detailed design and implementation of a full streetscape and infrastructure renewal, developed with input from innovative consultation sessions.
The streetscape design includes a curbless section to host events and street closures, extensive soil cells, a passive stormwater capture system to irrigate street trees, granite curbs and paving, EV charging stations, smart city technology and LED lighting. The design also incorporates a series of placemaking elements including bronze inlays depicting the native Oaks of Ontario, unique patterns for crosswalks, and patterned wraps for above-grade infrastructure.
Preceding the current construction, Brook McIlroy, in association with Hatch Mott MacDonald, led the Transportation and Streetscape Study for the Town of Oakville as well as the development of a revitalization concept for Towne Square. The study involved the creation of a comprehensive public realm vision for the downtown that is beautiful, green, culturally relevant, economically feasible and implementable in the short, medium and long term.
The plan defined clear design directions for the public realm and re-examined the allocation of space within the right-of-way to increase connectivity, mobility and accessibility. Recommendations included progressive solutions such as a curbless sidewalk on key streets, adoption of a complete streets approach, and low impact development integration.
