By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Independent
The Main Street water main replacement project is continuing in Stettler.
To date, the Main Street project has not run into any complications and is progressing on schedule and projected to complete on time, officials say.
“The weather has been cooperating so far,” said Town of Stettler Director of Operations Melissa Robbins.
“We are on track to complete the underground work by the beginning of June. Final completion date (for the project) is middle to end of July.”
So far, the project has already completed the replacement of the 300mm water main which ran the length of the street, and the contractor is currently in the process of replacing all the water main connections to the businesses, including new shut off valves.
The water main itself was replaced by directionally drilling, removing the need to completely tear up the street.
Once the connections are all replaced, some asphalt patching will take place, then phase two of the project will begin.
Phase two will be the replacement of the sidewalks on both sides of the block.
“Downtown businesses have been very cooperative through this process,” said Robbins.
“We want to express our appreciation of that, and the work they have to operate adjacent to.”
When phase two of the project begins, it will be phased as well, with small sections of sidewalk being removed, framed, and poured, to minimize impact on businesses.
One side of the street will be done at a time. And when the contractor does move in front of a business, they are required under the contract to build an access to the business to minimize disruption.
“There is a requirement of the contractor to build a temporary access so that we don’t close a business at any time during the construction,” said Robbins.
“Town council was very clear that we minimize the impact to the businesses, especially (recognizing) that we are working during COVID-19, and they are impacted as it is.”
In addition to the Main Street project, a water main replacement project is underway, and about 50 per cent complete.
For road work, a contractor will be starting the week of May 17th on the next phase of the 44th Ave. rehabilitation project.
That work will include partial curb and gutter replacements in between 50th St. and 59th St. as well as the repaving of that entire section of road.