Recent heavy rainstorms have slowed construction along King Street but the City of Estevan still hopes to have the project completed by late July.
Kiflom Weldeab, the engineer for the city, stated that crews have been hindered by the excessive moisture, as they have to allow time for the ground to dry before continuing any work on sub-grade and sub-base aspects of the King Street rehabilitation project.
“We’re not sure what impact the rain will have,” said Weldeab. “There were around five days where we were unable to make progress due to the weather but we are still hoping to stay on schedule.”
The construction runs along King Street from Pine Avenue to Kensington Avenue and originally began with an estimated completion time of six weeks.
During the construction there is no through traffic access allowed on King Street with a detour route including Peterson Drive and Rooney Road for southbound traffic, and Henry Street from Spruce Drive to Bannatyne Avenue for northbound traffic.
“We want to thank the public for their patience and understanding,” said Weldeab. “People are continuing to obey the rules and we just want to thank them for staying away from construction zones. We understand the inconvenience the construction has caused but the public has been very understanding.”
The city also reminds the public that removing barricades in construction zones constitutes an offence under the Criminal Code and the Traffic Safety Act.
Members of the Estevan Police Service continue to monitor the area and conduct enforcement of proper driving techniques in these areas. Anyone caught driving through construction areas or removing safety barricades could face serious charges.
The city plans to widen King Street to a “true four lane” road, he said, with crews pushing the road out on the north side to match the size of the road on the west side with no narrowing.
“The only problem we have had with the project so far is the rain,” said Weldeab.
“If the weather stays the same it may push us back a bit. A little water isn’t going to hurt anything, but when you get a few inches several days in a row it slows us down.”
During the closure of King Street, the Estevan Shoppers Mall, Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons, Estevan Alliance Church, Midwest Surveys, Canada Capital Energy and Living Hope Church have no access from their properties onto King Street with access only through Peterson Drive. No Frills and Mobil Gas Bar currently have access only through Spruce Drive.
This is the second-phase, in a three-phase project to continue improving King Street, with the third phase schedule to take place next summer.
