Around 100 trees on 12th Street E. will be removed as part of the project. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Water supply

Major construction in Midtown begins Monday

Aug 21, 2020 | 12:00 PM

Work on a $1.9 million infrastructure upgrade to a Midtown street is scheduled to begin Monday.

City crews will replace the 110-year-old cast iron water main running below 12^th Street E. from Second Avenue to Sixth Avenue E. with PVC pipe – the modern standard.

“[The existing water main] has far exceeded its life expectancy,” capital projects manager for the City of P.A., Nykol Miller told paNOW. “The new water main will provide a stable water source for the residents.”

The city will also replace 39 lead service connections from the water main to the property line, widen the roadway, repave the street and install new concrete curbs and sidewalks.

Concrete and roadway work will be paid for by provincial funding through the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP).

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To minimize disruption, construction will be completed block by block, Miller explained.

“So we’re not going to have the entire section ripped up from Second Avenue to Sixth Avenue,” she said. “We’re] working a block at the time and then reinstating the roadway behind construction.”

Miller explained construction is expected to last until freeze-up. Any remaining blocks will be completed in the spring.

A 2018 map of water mains in the city, the oldest (cast iron) are shown in red, while the newest (PVC) are shown in blue. (submitted/City of P.A.)

The city is also discussing temporary lighting options with SaskPower, Miller said.

Streetlights on either side of the street will be temporarily removed and residents have raised concerns about safety and crime, Ward Coun. Evert Botha told paNOW.

Another component of the extensive project involves the removal of the around 100 trees lining the route. New trees will be planted in 2021.

Botha explained the city plans to increase the diversity of tree species during reforestation of the street, leading to a healthier and more disease-resistant urban forest.

He encouraged residents with questions about any aspect of the project to reach out to either him or public works.

“It is a considerable investment in the community,” Botha said, citing the importance of the project for Midtown’s water security.

“There’s nothing like having a new street and new sidewalk,” he said. “It’s going to look great.”

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom