Construction is underway on Altawana Drive which will be closed for the next eight weeks. (Kevin Kyle/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

ROADWAYS

Road construction underway on two major roadways in Medicine Hat

May 13, 2024 | 5:26 PM

Road construction season is underway in Medicine Hat, kicking off with construction on Altawana Drive closed for the next eight week and construction on sections of Dunmore Road.

The city is upgrading utilities on seventh street north west at the top of Altawana Drive. Joel Latimer, a project manager with environment utilities said they anticipate the roadway to reopen by mid-July.

“The project just includes replacement of old water and sewer pipe, so we’re looking at pipe installed in the 1950s, pipe that’s past its lifespan, essentially just needs to be replaced,” Latimer said.

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“A lot of people are going to have the question why it’s closed for so long. I think one of the biggest challenges with this project is the depth of the infrastructure we’re replacing. Typically a water and sewer lines will be two and a half to three meters deep. We’re looking at a sewer line here that’s over seven meters deep,” he added.

“It’s quite a significant excavation, a deep, just a big hole in the ground essentially. It’s just going to be a challenging project from that angle.”

The intersection of Eighth Street at the top of the hill is only blocked going southbound and businesses in the area will remain open.

The main detour will be up Parkview Drive.

“If you’re trying to access Crescent Heights, then you would take 12th Street. And so there is a four-way stop implemented at the 12th Street and Seventh Ave intersection,” Latimer said.

“Signage, kind of as usual, detour signage.”

Dunmore road has seen concrete work done in the area since Friday.

Mill and overlay work to removed two inches of asphalt and repaving in the area begins Tuesday.

Chris Coslovich, project manager with municipal works said the project will be done in two phases.

“Phase one, we’re looking to hopefully have that paved out by the end of June. That’ll probably be done during the day. It’s not that busy of a stretch between Southview Drive and 22nd Street,” Coslovich said.

“Phase two, kind of along that business corridor and down the hill, we’re hoping to do that at night. That probably won’t be done until about the end of July for phase two.”

Construction downtown continues throughout the summer and early fall.

Altawana Drive will also see mill and overlay work completed during the closure.

“I just want to thank all of the residents and motorists for everyone’s patience and understanding,” Latimer said.

“No one likes construction and we understand that. We’re hoping that everything goes well and we’ll be able to get the road open safely and on-schedule.”

Approaching these areas with patience and understand, giving workers the necessary space.