Crews were out on Box Springs Boulevard on Tuesday working on the section of road near Costco. A final asphalt lift is anticipated to be laid later this year. (CHAT News photo)

By Alex McCuaig

On the road again

Work on problem section of Box Springs road expected to be completed this year

Sep 1, 2020 | 4:43 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Box Springs Business Park says it’s expecting a section of road through the development which has drawn the ire of many city motorists will be fixed this year. But drivers will have to wait until next year to see the whole of Box Springs Boulevard repaved.

The city announced in a release in June that construction to repair and add the final lift of asphalt to Box Springs Boulevard had begun with construction wrapping up by Sept. 1. It also stated the city and Box Springs Business Group, “have worked collaboratively to ensure the needed repairs are completed this summer.”

The initial asphalt lift was laid around 2007 and the road opened to traffic. But the deal between the business park and the city deferred finishing paving of the road until 80 per cent of the development was built out, at which point, the road would be turned over to the city.

Mayor Ted Clugston and Albert Stark, managing partner of Box Springs Business Park, indicated in June that a deal had been reached to see the road completed without meeting that threshold.

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Stark says he anticipates the section of Box Springs Boulevard running from Box Springs Road to just past the Costco will be completed this construction season.

“Our agreement with the city basically said (that section) was to be finished by the end of this season,” said Stark. “And we believe we are going to achieve that goal.”

But the remaining section of the boulevard to Boundary Road will have to wait until next year.

Stark says it wasn’t supposed to be completed for another six or seven years.

“However, we are doing that well in advance of the agreed-to date with the city. We planned to do it originally this year but for sure next year.”

Stark says a wet spring also affected the work schedule for the road.

The city directed comment on the situation to Box Springs Business Park.