The City of Estevan’s public works division is applying the finishing touches to what has been a pretty productive spring and summer season.
Norm Mack, the manager for public works’ roads and drainage division, said the crews have been busy with the construction of new sidewalks and sidewalk resurfacing, asphalt patching and other tasks.
“We had a sidewalk renewal program, so we stuck a lot of work into updating some trip hazards around the city and replacing some broken sidewalks,” said Mack.
Many of the sidewalks that were replaced were in the southwest area.
A new sidewalk was constructed along Souris Avenue North from Edward Street to Wellock Road, giving pedestrians a safe area to walk.
Public works was also involved with the construction of a new pedestrian crossing light at the intersection of Souris Avenue North and Edward Street.
“I think it was a very well-deserved and a long-time project with the pedestrian walkway on Souris and Edward that helps people go from the north end of the city to Pleasantdale.”
Pedestrian walk lights were also upgraded at many traffic lights in the city as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to modernize them.
A crew was designated for yellow curb painting, since much of it was faded and peeling.
“We thought it was time for us to get to the yellow curbing throughout the whole city, and a good portion of the city is done,” Mack said.
The asphalt patches that were completed this summer, which are used to repair damage to roads and sidewalks caused by water and sewer main breaks, were completed in-house for the second straight year. No contractor help was needed.
A second application of traffic line paint was recently applied to city streets, along with a second coat of dust control.
“We’re going to focus on drainage ditches in the fall, once the weeds have stopped. We’ll be mowing some of them down and making sure that our culverts are free and clear of sand and mud.”
Crews will also be making salt and sand for the winter months, so that they’re ready for when the weather turns cold.
The weather largely co-operated this year, so Mack said public works didn’t experience many weather delays for street sweeping, crack filling and patching.
