Mayor Dionne discusses big dig and recouping from weekend storm

Still, he said there’s a bright side.

“I’m pleased to see that over the weekend we didn’t have as many trees come down as other communities around us did, because of the wind,” Dionne said.

That’s because the city got its share of wind on Wednesday, leaving downed trees obstructing traffic and damaging property.

As far as Saturday’s storm goes, Dionne said he thinks the most flooding happened at the bottom of the hill on Second Avenue and 15th St. W.

“It closed that intersection and it flooded Tim Horton’s right out. It filled their parking lot right up,” said Dionne.

Going forward, he said they’ll be exploring new solutions and considering basin placement.

“The ‘big dig’ didn’t help with holding the water back…because of all the construction that’s going on,” said Dionne. “We’ll be having all our department heads and foremen that dealt with it in, all to see what we could’ve done better, if there’s anything we could’ve done.”

“Sometimes nature gives you no choices.”

Still, he said although the project will be pushed back, they’ll be making sure it’s completed in a timely manner.

“We’re going to have the contractor work longer hours. He’ll be working on the weekends, trying to make up time, because we want it done as soon as we can get it done,” said Dionne.

More rain may or may not be around the corner but Dionne said they have to continue on with the project and cannot let the water sit for any amount of time.

“Even though there may be more coming you still have to remove what’s there,” said Dionne, who was shocked at just how much water was sitting at the construction site.

“I just drove through it now and I’m amazed at the amount of water that is in there. That’s why they have to pump.”

The City will be having their review meeting with the contractor at 1 p.m. Monday afternoon.

“I’ll have a better picture of what our challenge is moving forward,” said Dionne.

asoloducha@panow.com

On Twitter: alex_soloducha

by Alex Soloducha

Mayor Dionne discusses big dig and recouping from weekend storm

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