HIGH RIVER, AB: High River council voted to combine phases three and four of the downtown reconstruction program at the Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting. Combining the two phases will maximize the amount of work that can be completed in the 2016 construction season and accelerate the project’s completion date.
The downtown reconstruction program is needed in order to replace underground utilities that were damaged in the June 2013 flood. Additionally, the Town is taking this opportunity to make streetscape improvements to sidewalks, lighting and landscaping as part of the replacement program.
Phases three and four of the program were originally scheduled to be completed separately in 2016 and 2017. By combining the two phases the downtown reconstruction program will be completed a year sooner.
“The sooner we can get this work completed, the faster we can build and develop our business sector,” said Mayor Craig Snodgrass. “I know it’s going to mean another tough construction season but ultimately it will mean that we can get back to normal that much sooner.”
Phases three and four will focus mainly on:
- 1 Street S.W. between Macleod Trail S.W. and 4 Avenue S.W.
- 6 Avenue S.W. between Macleod Trail S.W. and 1 Street S.W.
- Macleod Trail S.W. between 4 Avenue S.W. and 3 Street S.W.
The design of the program will be completed this fall, followed by a public tender in early 2016. Construction will commence as early as possible in the spring of 2016.
Pedestrian access to homes and businesses will be maintained throughout construction.
Any work that is not finished in 2016 will be completed in early 2017. Funding for this project comes from a Long Term Recovery Grant provided by the Government of Alberta.
More information will be posted in the Town Crier, as well as the Flood Renewal and Resource page at www.highriver.ca under the Residents menu as this project progresses.