Work starts on road, watermain projects

Duane Hicks

The first of a series of local road reconstruction and watermain improvements this summer has begun.
Wagner Construction Canada ULC was digging today into Eighth Street to install sewer and water services for the new 10-unit apartment complex being built by Wahkaihganun Futures Corp.
Then next week, the contractor will start work on the season’s major project—the water and sanitary sewer line replacement, new storm sewer installation, and new asphalt on Third Street East between Mowat Avenue and Portage Avenue.
Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown said the road will be closed at Portage and Mowat to complete the work.
However, LCBO customers will be able to use the parking lot on Mowat Avenue behind the Senic River Mall, CN will be able to access the rail yard, and local residents will have access to their properties from their back lanes at all times.
Letters have been sent out to residents informing them of what they need to know about the project, added Brown.
This job is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 27 (weather permitting).
The same batch of projects also will include rebuilding Osborne Street, between Christie Avenue and Armit Avenue, and the installation of new sewer and water services for a commercial property on McIrvine Road.
It also will include “looping” the watermain at the Shevlin wood yard easement between Nelson Street and Church Street, as well as the watermain on Sixth Street between Portage Avenue and McKenzie Avenue.
The town has received complaints about red or stagnant water from residents living in those parts of town.
The contractor will be looping the water services there to tie into the force main, so the water moves more and it will not stagnate at a “dead end.”
The entire batch of work is slated to be completed by early October.
On June 27, town council awarded a tender for road reconstruction and watermain improvements for Third Street East, Osborne Street, Sixth Street East, and Eighth Street West, and proposed easement (Church to Nelson), to Wagner Construction Canada ULC at an estimated cost of $1,430,521.24.
This includes HST and a contingency allowance of $125,000.