A new sidewalk along Souris Avenue North is almost completed. The pedestrian part of the road has already reached Wellock Road but some more work needs to be done on the Edward Street side of it.
City engineer Kiflom Weldeab explained what needs to be accomplished to finalize the project.
“We have to install a pushbutton traffic light to give the crossing to the daycare and people walking around,” said Weldeab.
These works are scheduled to start sometime this week. Once that’s completed they will finish the installation of the sidewalk.
“So right now 90-95 per cent is done and once the traffic light, the pedestrian cross light, is done we’ll finish the concrete and that will be done,” said Weldeab.
In the meantime, the construction crews have to backfill the valley side and wait for about a week until the concrete cures. Until then they can’t put too much weight on the sidewalk.
“People are walking on it, walking is not going to hurt it (but it might be dangerous for pedestrians). We don’t want people or people on a stroller, or wheelchair to fall in the valley. So we advise the public not to use the sidewalk as of yet,” said Weldeab.
Once backfill is done there will be a 180-metre guardrail put up on the valley side up to Wellock Road.
“Basically we have about two more weeks at least to complete the project,” said Weldeab.
The project that started on May 13 was originally slated to be completed by May 31, however, the company, hired to install the pedestrian crossing light, wasn’t able to come on time to have the project finished by the deadline, thus holding back the completion of the concrete work as well. Besides this delay, there were no other complications.
The sidewalk was on the city agenda since last year. Estevan city council awarded the tender for the sidewalk to Turnbull Excavating for $71,490 at the March council meeting. Weldeab noted that backfill, the fence and the pedestrian crossing light were not included in the tender. The total price of the project is not known yet. But Weldeab said the city has enough funds allocated to cover the costs.
The expectations are that the sidewalk will provide greater safety for pedestrians.
Installation of the pedestrian lights is slated for the second week of June. During that time there will be road barricades and the speed limit will be restricted to 30 kilometres per hour.
After this project is finished, the city will proceed with resurfacing Souris Avenue South from Fourth Street down to Perkins Street and further.
“We are hoping that will (happen) sometime in July-August,” said Weldeab.
The city will also keep working on potholes and do water main repairs. They also will keep upgrading pump stations, changing pumps and panels.
