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Prince Albert infrastructure projects inching towards completion

Sep 15, 2015 | 11:59 AM

The City of Prince Albert is making headway on a number of big infrastructure projects.

‘Big Dig’

Mayor Greg Dionne said city crews working on the ‘big dig’ project on 2nd Ave. W. and 15th St. W. were prepared for the rain Tuesday morning.

“They made sure that they did put enough fill in and that’s been our secret,” said Dionne. “We’ve been filling in and up holes and pumping the rest of the water so that when it does stop we can keep going.”

Dionne said the concrete company had made significant progress.

“They’ve almost got that intersection done,” said Dionne. “They’re heading north towards the bridge. The cement is actually going to go right to 14th St., there’s quite a patch there and it’s 10 inches thick so it’s quite a project to lay.”

Despite the rain Tuesday, Dionne said work could continue on the project.

“People will notice the big loaders on the other side, on 15th St. now, on the east side,” said Dionne. “What we’re doing there is we have to do a connection there from the new dig all the way to underneath the tracks … and the boring machine is arriving today to do that.”

Paving project

Dionne said the city’s $4-million paving project was 83 per cent complete as of Tuesday.

“That’s right on schedule to be done this year too,” said Dionne, “so our city’s looking good.”

Line painting

In addition to the fresh pavement, lines are also being painted along important stretches of road in Prince Albert.

 “What’s incredible – the line painting will be done in two and a half days,” said Dionne.

Dionne said lines are being painted now so they remain visible in winter.

“It looks good all over because people say in between the new pavement and the line painting it help makes our city look cleaner,” said Dionne.

Rotary Trail

The Rotary Trail expansion is nearing completion. Mayor Dionne said B&B Asphalt had to stop the project temporarily once they reached the Lakeshore Estates.

“Everyone panicked a little because they stopped at Lakeshore Estates,” said Dionne. “That’s because today we’re actually signing a new service agreement on that development. Where the trail is going to go in they’ve got to put in a storm sewer.”

“We’re not going to put asphalt down and then a couple months later dig it up because we forgot to do something.”

Dionne said the new water and sewer line has to be put into the subdivision before the trail is connected to 32nd St.

Lift stations

Mayor Dionne said he was pleased that renovations were complete on all but 3 lift stations.

The lift stations will ensure the city didn’t lose water during a power outage.

Dionne said he was thankful for everyone’s patience as the City tackled its many infrastructure projects.

“I always say, ‘short term pain for long term gain.’”

 

jsperling@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @jnsperling