The sounds of construction are probably the last thing many people want to hear during the weekend,
But for Halifax residents frustrated by the ongoing delays of the St. Margaret’s Bay Road project, hearing crews work seven days a week is what they’re hoping for.
“My understanding is on Saturday there were some workers there for a number of hours but on Sunday there was no work happening at all,” Shawn Cleary said, the councillor for the area.
READ MORE: Halifax extends St. Margaret’s Bay Rd. construction until late November
The city says they were under the impression that the contractor would have crews working seven days a week but this weekend was different.
“The contractors told us that they’d be there seven days a week, until the completion of the project at the end of November. They weren’t there this past Sunday, they made the decision to rest their workers.” Nick Ritcey said, a senior communications advisor with the municipality.
The project began in July and was originally slated for completion by mid-October but according to the city, “unforeseen circumstances” have led to delays.
“Some of the delays have been discovering underground water infrastructure that wasn’t formally mapped out. As well as hitting some bedrock in certain places,” Ritcey said.
While some residents agree the construction crews have been pleasant to deal with, the ongoing delays are beginning to test their patience.
“It’s painful. I mean the crews are wonderful and they make it easier but I’ll turn left one day and then an hour later, I’ll try to come back, they say, ‘nope you have to go around’ and there’s no indication down by the rotary to let me know, so it’s frustrating,” Krista Jackson said, a St. Margaret’s Bay Road resident.
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With the current deadline in place, the project will end up being delayed by a month and a half.
Despite the setback, resident Bob Daley feels the crews are doing the best they can with the old infrastructure they’re dealing with.
Upon completion, the project will bring with it ‘safer infrastructure’ including new asphalt and sidewalks.
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