Compared to the 2009 road construction season, city director of engineering Todd Wyman said the upcoming roadwork will not be as intense.
“It’s going to be a little less disruptive,” he said, adding the work would equal half of that done in 2009. “This year, it’s back to your regular scheduled program.”
The city will spend $25.6 million on repairs and construction on various roads and sidewalks, including $11 million on expansions and connections for Anthony Henday Drive and $4.1 million on road overlays around the city. Another $6 million is set for the Riel redevelopment work and another $2 million will be used on the Sturgeon Heights pump house repairs.
Wyman could not give the total cost of the projects combined, saying it depended on getting back all of the project tenders.
Wyman said the city spent about $8 million on road overlays in 2009 and started some of the work for the Anthony Henday Drive at that time. This year, the focus of the work will be on designing and building the connectors to the new regional highway in time for its 2011 opening.
The two major Henday-related projects include building the intersection at LeClair Way (137th Avenue) and Sir Winston Churchill Avenue, where the road will be widened. Boudreau Road at Veness Road will also be widened in Campbell Business Park.
“Some of the projects are not as disruptive,” said Wyman. “Consultants are already starting to design the Henday interchanges.”
The city will also complete work on two bridges that started last year on St. Albert Trail at the Sturgeon River and Sir Winston Churchill overpass.
Another major project includes renovations to the Sturgeon Heights pump house this fall, work that will minimize disruption to the city’s water supply.
“We want to get over our peak service hours for the project,” Wyman said.
Much of the work will require road closures along the way, said Wyman. He added that notices about such work will be available on the city website or there may be open houses available to let people know about public works projects in their neighbourhood.
Wyman also said a full map of the places where roadwork will be completed will be available by the May long weekend.
