Safety-focused improvements planned for two intersections along Sherwood Drive

New design plans for the Sherwood Drive and Granada Boulevard intersection, along with the Sherwood Drive traffic circle, were presented to Council at the June 4 Priorities Committee Meeting.

The two projects are currently in the design phase with plans for construction in 2025 and 2026.

New design for Sherwood Drive supports walkable vision for downtown core

Although construction is not scheduled until 2026, planning is underway for intersection and pedestrian safety improvements at Sherwood Drive and Granada Boulevard.

“We will continue to see Centre in the Park transform into a more pedestrian friendly area with street front developments, diverse housing options and inviting gathering spaces,” says Mayor Rod Frank. “This urban centre’s evolution reflects the County’s commitment to sustainable local and regional growth. As the area evolves into a more walkable community - safe roads and pedestrian friendly spaces are essential.”

The improvements include reducing crossing distances for pedestrian safety—resulting in four through-lanes instead of six on Sherwood Drive near the Community Centre. A dual left-turn lane will also be added from Sherwood Drive southbound to eastbound Granada Boulevard.

These changes support the long-term vision of Centre in the Park as a vibrant downtown core with more on-street parking, wider sidewalks, and street front development. Centre in the Park is a multi-use area within the heart of Sherwood Park, linking together municipal services, schools, retail services, residences, and welcoming public spaces.

Following community engagement, the updated Centre in the Park Area Redevelopment Plan was approved by Council in 2020. This redevelopment plan sets the framework to continue to build on the character of this urban centre. The plan promotes higher density and a downtown feel, diverse housing and business development, enhanced pedestrian connectivity, and more open spaces to enjoy in Strathcona County.

Construction procurement for the improvements will occur in 2025, with stage one construction in 2026. The pace of development in the area will determine the timeline for further roadway improvements over the longer term.

Visit strathcona.ca/SherwoodGranada for more information. Project updates will be shared as roadway construction and development progresses.

Iconic traffic circle will be reconstructed to a modern roundabout

Reconstruction plans also focus on the traffic circle at Sherwood Drive and Broadmoor Boulevard in 2025.

Originally built in the 1970s, the traffic circle has an outdated design that has led to some driver confusion. An operational assessment of the traffic circle was completed in 2014. At the time, it was determined that interim changes were the most fiscally responsible and prudent decision to improve safety until the road infrastructure required rehabilitation or reconstruction. 

Based on the operational assessment, public input and engineering best practices, changes were made in 2016 to update signage, closure of lane sections and improved line markings. This helped reduce collisions by up to 48 per cent—however, the traffic circle remains a high collision location in Sherwood Park.

A main issue with the current traffic circle design is that drivers perceive the north and south entry approaches as straight-through roadways with priority, rather than a yield into the traffic circle. The current traffic circle size enables higher speeds through the intersection. Modern roundabout design standards address this issue with a smaller diameter and entry deflections to reduce speeds and improve sightlines and overall safety.

The County is currently working with an engineering firm on the design for the new roundabout. Once completed, the final design will be shared for public information in fall 2024. Construction is expected to begin in 2025.

Visit strathcona.ca/TrafficCircle for more information.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595