LETHBRIDGE- Construction crews can be seen hard at work in many areas of the city’s north side and it doesn’t look like the work is going to stop any time soon
The reason for the detours and delays on our roads is because the city of Lethbridge is installing a sanitary sewer line along the corridor.
“That pipe is put in for the growth and future growth of the city,” says Robert Kovacs with the City of Lethbridge.
Along with future planning, a number of other areas will be getting a face lift.
“Not only the roads but the intersections with left hand turn lanes that people will utilize, also the pedestrian facilities and the park will be beautified as well,” adds Kovacs.
A number of major intersections will be upgraded, causing frustrating for motorists.
5th Avenue North and Mayor Magrath Drive will be improved as well as 23rd Street and 26th Avenue North.
But, some of these construction changes aren’t sitting well with everyone. Grant Colling is an arborist and enjoys the treed area along 28th Street North. He’s frustrated to see so many mature trees cut down during the process, “Many of them can be removed with a spade and replanted where the city has budgets set up for planting in new developed areas and new parks. It would be beautiful to have a 20 foot tree rather than a little spindle tree.”
City officials say they have done what they can with the trees. Some have been cut down and others have been moved.
“Way back years ago in the project I had met with our parks team and we saved as many trees, and actually moved them inside the corridor, so mostly they moved to the west side of the street, the ones deemed un-savable whether they were too big or sickly were removed,” adds Kovacs.
But Colling feels the majority of the trees cut down could have been savedand says the city was not looking at the big picture, “I see alternatives that could be applied, and they are not being applied. They are taking the easy way out again.”
The sanitary line will be wrapped up by the end of the month, then the city will move on to the surface construction. A town hall meeting has been planned for the area Thursday, giving all residents a chance to voice concerns and ask questions.
The project is expected to wrap up in November of this year.
Open House details:
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Any time between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
River of Life Community Church
2820 – 18th Avenue North
More information on project cost and timeline can be found here:
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