INNISFAIL - The town is adding a $100,000 component to the previously approved million-dollar reconstruction project on 45th Avenue.
"It helps us solve an issue down on the south end of 45th Avenue. It is extending storm pipe," said Rod Fraser, the town's director of operational services. "What this does is help with the storm drainage at the south end of 45th Avenue."
At council’s regular meeting on April 11, a $1,246,685.50 bid from Carbon Earthworks Ltd. was chosen for the reconstruction of underground infrastructure and surface improvements along 45th Avenue, from 50th Street to 46th Street. The job also includes the culvert upgrade on 42nd Avenue. The original budget for the reconstruction project was $2,003,107.
However, town staff were told by area residents at an April 17 open house for the project they had concerns with the existing storm line just south of 46th Street on 45th Avenue being prone to freezing.
This concern was followed up with a probe by Al-Terra Engineering (Red Deer) Ltd. Council was told on June 10 through an administration report it was discovered portions of the storm line just south of the intersection of 46th Street and 45th Avenue are shallow, about 1.2 metres in depth.
The report added the shallow depth can cause freeze-ups in the winter, which could result in backups for homes connected directly to the storm line.
Al-Terra proposed the option of extending the storm sewer line on 45th Avenue all the way south to the 46th Street intersection. As well, suggested Al-Terra, the storm manhole just south of the 45th Avenue and 46th Street intersection could be replaced with a deeper manhole. The report added catch basins could be installed at 46A Street Crescent with the extension of the storm line, which would improve drainage at this intersection.
The proposed solution by Al-Terra would add additional storm drainage capacity for the remainder of the neighbourhood during summer storms, said the report.
The estimated cost for the storm sewer line extension and replacement of the existing storm manhole is $98,411. That cost was unanimously approved by council. The reconstruction project will start in July and be completed in the fall.
