Estevan downtown project continues; work slowed by wet weather

ESTEVAN - The wet weather in the Estevan area earlier in the spring and summer has caused some delays for the downtown revitalization project in 1100 and 1200 blocks of Fourth Street, but progress is occurring with the project.  

In an email to the Mercury and SaskToday, Associate Engineering and ASL Paving said weather has caused about two weeks of delays.

"We are projecting to be done this year still, but that will depend on the weather holding, as well as other factors such as supply of materials, which can be impacted by a number of items," they said.

In the latest update on the project posted to the city's website on July 11, it was noted that underground sewer, storm and water mains, and the services to buildings, are the main scopes currently. The work has progressed past the intersection of Fourth Street and 12th Avenue, and there will be work in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Fourth Street in July.

ASL Paving was engaged for the work as the general contractor, with Turnbull Excavating acting as their underground utilities subcontractor. The underground work started at the intersection of Fourth Street and 11th Avenue earlier in the spring, and has been moving westward.

"Sidewalks remain open with the exception of where service connections are needed to interrupt the access temporarily," the report states. "Fencing is installed and detours are in place. Back alleys are currently operating as two-way, and functioning, but may be transitioned to one-way later in the project if needed," the update states.

Front and back access for the Wicklow Centre are still open.

Roadway asphalt has been removed where work has commenced on the 1100-block of Fourth Street. The asphalt on the 1200-block will be progressively removed as the work shifts further west. Aggregates have been salvaged where possible.

Sanitary sewer mains and services have been replaced with new lines from the intersection of Fourth Street and 11th Avenue, up to the intersection of Fourth and 12th. Storm sewer mains have been replaced, with new lines from the intersection of Fourth Street and 11th Avenue, up to approximately the front doors of the Tower Café.

Temporary water services to buildings have been installed, chlorinated, tested and confirmed to be working for the entire project. New isolation valves are installed and are functioning. Mains and services have been replaced, with new lines from the intersection of Fourth and 11th up to the intersection of Fourth and 12th where they are currently working.

Removals of existing light poles on the 1100 and 1200 block of Fourth has been completed. Strategic lights have been left operating at the Orpheum Theatre to allow for lighting of evening shows.

ASL and Associated Engineering say they have had regular communication with the businesses and the Downtown Business Association, and the business owners remain very positive about the project.

"We understand that having road access removed could impact businesses, but this was communicated early in the project and the businesses have been very positive to date. We have dealt with issues as they arise, and everyone has been very helpful and great to work with."

One change has been made to the scope of the project, with the removal of electric vehicle chargers, but it is hoped they could be reinstated if an accessibility grant application is successful.

According to information posted on the city's website, water and sewer mains and services are to be replaced, and the roadway base and sidewalks are to be completed in July for the 1100-block of Fourth Street. Landscaping, roadway paving and electrical work are to be completed in August.

For the 1200-block of Fourth Street, water and sewer mains and services are to be replaced in August, and the roadway base is to be finished. Sidewalks and electrical are slated for a September completion. Landscaping and roadway paving would happen in October.

As for site finishings, furniture, light poles, asphalt, line painting, and clean up and demobilization would happen in October.  

As was noted in May, contamination was discovered at the intersection of Fourth Street and 11th Avenue as part of another project, and the contamination has been excavated and hauled to an approved disposal facility through the other project.

Initial drilling results found some indication of contamination at the intersection of Fourth Street and 13th Avenue, but not above levels of concern. Associated Engineering has been monitoring the contamination removal work, and will evaluate the area to see if any action needs to be taken.