Construction on the short stretch of road behind the Stettler KFC is nearing completion, likely to the relief of home owners along the stretch who have had access to their homes hindered by the roadwork.
According to Melissa Robbins, director of operations for the Town of Stettler, work began on the water/wastewater main replacement project on Sept. 14.
"The main part of construction is finished," Robbins said. "The contractor is completing clean-up this week."
The project was undertaken by High Mountain Hoe Services after the company secured the winning bid in a request for proposal put forward by the town. The estimated cost of the work is roughly $600,000, Robbins said.
The project has been on the town's radar for the past two years as problems in the area had made it a high-priority target for repair.
"The water main was cast iron," Robbins said. "Over the past few years, many water (main) breaks were occurring. The main has been replaced with PVC."
Since the town was tearing up the road to replace the water main, it also replaced the sanitary sewer at the same time, as well as services to property lines to ensure "all the infrastructure in the area is new prior to new asphalt being installed." This way, the town won't need to go in and ruin the newly paved roadway to replace sewer or service lines.
Though the roadway will be usable soon, it won't get the final paving treatment until next year, as the ground is allowed to settle before the road is paved.
"The final phase will be completed next year," Robbins said. "The town will be completing surface restorations, including concrete and asphalt replacements."