Spring is still three days away but construction season has already arrived in St. Marys.
Spring is still three days away, but construction season has already arrived in St. Marys.
The town broke ground this week on a major $2.4-million plan to reconstruct a section of Wellington Street expected to cause disruptions between the Wellington Street bridge and Park Street for the next five weeks.
Crews from Lavis Contracting set up shop on Tuesday while town officials told residents to be aware of possible sidewalk closures and water service interruptions. Access to parking and some Wellington Street businesses along that 650-metre stretch may also be limited at times.
Despite the inconvenience, St. Marys public works director Jed Kelly said it’s time to address infrastructure issues that have been piling up on Wellington Street since plans to improve drainage were first discussed years ago.
“It’s been on the radar for five or six years now … and (we’ve been) trying to fit it into our capital plan,” he said. “It’s time to do it, that’s for sure.”
Town councilors included the project in this year’s budget.
Similar to the one completed on Queen Street in 2016, the Wellington Street plan includes work on sidewalks that will make shops more accessible, a stamped concrete boulevard between the bridge and Jones Street, and additional parking.
“Where we can, we’re going to ramp up the sidewalk and eliminate steps,” Kelly said. “We’re really focused on those retail storefronts.”
Other improvements will be made under the surface. Those include replacing a water main, improving stormwater management, replacing asphalt, correcting streetlight grounding issues, and improving fire hydrant placements.
“We’re updating infrastructure as we go,” Kelly said.
More information about service disruptions will be posted to the town’s social media accounts over the next five weeks, officials said.