Medicine Hat’s Division Avenue and Third Street Southeast close to re-opening, city says

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For Josh Borrows, owner of Poolhouse Cafe & Roastery located on the 500 block of Third Street Southeast, that is very welcomed news.

“Honestly I can’t wait. We’ve been counting down the days. When it’s going to be done,” Borrows said.

“Obviously I think they have been doing a really good job. So I am happy about that,” he added.

“Obviously more excited when the gates are opened and people can start driving on the streets again.”

Borrows has been focused on looking at the positive aspect of having this work competed, replacing century old water and sewer infrastructure and updating of concrete curbs and sidewalks.

“I’ve been telling everybody it’s kind of a short term pain, but for the long term gain,” Borrows said.

“Obviously numbers were down. I think once everything is done this is going to be amazing for downtown Medicine Hat and the businesses,” he added.

“It’s just going to attract more people and more business in my opinion. So I’m excited.”

Business owners on Division Avenue on the South East Hill also won’t have to wait too much longer to have their roadways open up for the winter months.

John Ashton, transportation engineer with the City of Medicine Hat, said the deep utility work is behind them.

“We’re anticipating November 22nd, we have Division Avenue open to traffic for 2024, for the winter,” Ashton said.

“We will have some spillover, some work to complete in 25, and we’ll look to kick that off in the spring.”

The work to be completed in the spring is anticipated to take approximately two months to complete in the Seventh Street South area.

Work was delayed by snowfall on Division Avenue Tuesday, but is expected to be going when weather allows this week.

Ashton said they will have a better understanding of traffic flow after the roadway opens up.

“It’s hard to tell right now. We’re seeing traffic moving better that we’ve opened up, coming up Old Cemetery Hill,” Ashton said.

“We’re seeing traffic move better now that the intersections of 12th and 11th are both open,” he added.

“But the true test for division will be once the roadway is fully completed and open to traffic.”

Hyam said they initially expected to have the Third Street Southeast project done for 2024 with a late fall completion.

“We are right there. We never expect work to go into November, but we’ve seen it happen a lot on various projects,” Hyam said.

“We knew that the amount of work for this project was going to be significant, and so we’re not surprised by these timelines.”

The 500 block of Third Street Southeast will see asphalt work being done in the spring, but that will only take a few days when done according to Hyam.

Both representative from the city are thankful for the residents patience as they look to wrap these projects up for 2024.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat’s Division Avenue and Third Street Southeast close to re-opening, city says

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