Despite the recent unfavourable conditions for construction, the Main Avenue project on Sundre’s west side is progressing along and expected to largely be completed as planned.
Jim Hall, Sundre’s operations manager, said during an interview last week that the work has been challenging due to the early snowfall, but that the contractor, UG Excavating, a Calgary-based company, has been admirably handling the adverse conditions.
“The contractor is doing a really good job in keeping pace,” said Hall, adding the crew has managed to install pipes through the difficult conditions.
The effort to install a new water loop from the northwest to the southwest, where the industrial district will receive improved pressures to better accommodate future developments, was slightly hampered by a high level of groundwater. However, the planned work is expected to be completed, leaving the second phase of the project ready to wrap up next year, he said.
While some people might wonder why such projects are not tackled earlier during the summer, the operations manager said the water table tends to be far too high at that time of year.
“We couldn’t possibly do these jobs when the water table remains high,” he said, adding that’s why the August to October time frame is typically scheduled for construction that involves any substantial amount of digging.
Wastewater pipes were well underway last week and expected to be completed by the weekend, provided of course the weather cooperated. Next on the docket is completing the surveying and preparation work for the curb, gutter and road, which was expected to be underway as of this week, he said.
However, the regional walking path and swale for stormwater runoff, as well as some changes to the FortisAlberta lighting in that area, are at this point expected to be finished in the spring, he said.
“Our focus now is the curb, gutter and paving,” he said, stressing the importance of restoring motorist mobility on Main Avenue West before the full onset of winter.
“We want to get that road laid.”
To date, the contractor’s crew has barely taken any time off, even when the snow was coming down hard. A skeleton crew even continued prep work for drilling over the Thanksgiving weekend, he said.
“They’re working really hard,” he said, adding, “they have an excellent safety record and program.”
Additionally, the workers have largely resided in Sundre throughout the duration of the project, generating a welcome local economic spinoff, he said.
Meanwhile, the operations manager expressed his gratitude for everyone’s patience and understanding. The municipality has attempted to mitigate the impact of the construction while also balancing the need to ensure the contractor can operate safely, he said.
“The businesses and residents who have been impacted by this have been fantastic,” he said.
“They totally understand the benefit of having the project done for the community.”
Hall also said he is pleased to see major capital projects such as this moving ahead and looks forward to completing more in the coming years because infrastructure upgrades are a crucial part of the equation to generate commercial growth.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said.
“Short-term pain for long-term gain.”
