(submitted/Town of Unity)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Water upgrades

Unity receives more than $3 million for water infrastructure

Jun 24, 2021 | 11:36 AM

The Town of Unity is getting its largest infrastructure grant in a decade to boost water transmission.

The provincial and federal governments are providing more than $3.1 million to the town, as part of the Community, Culture, and Recreation stream and the Green Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The province is providing more than $1.4 million, while the federal contribution is more than $1.7 million. Unity is providing almost $1.16 million as well for the project, which was estimated to come in at around $4 million.

Every dollar will go towards the town’s water main replacement project, addressing 1st Avenue West water and wastewater transmission. Mayor Sharon Del Frari said the town is very excited to receive this funding, particularly during this time.

“Infrastructure is aging and needs to be replaced,” she said. “So, any help we can get from the province or the federal government is much appreciated.”

The water main lines have been failing in that area of the town for some time and this upgrade is meant to ensure a consistent and predictable supply of clean drinking water, as well as replace the sanitary sewer main. The water sewer, storm sewer, and utility aspects of Main Street to a west access road would all be improved as well. Del Frari said they’ve been targeting this project and applying for grant money for years.

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“It’s a very significant upgrade to our 1^st Avenue,” she said. “It’s going to improve our town so much.”

Upgrading the street itself is an important bonus to the project, as it’s been in need of work for years as well. Del Frari said it will benefit a wide variety of residents and travelers, including the residential property owners in that area. Simply having a smoother, wider surface for motorists to drive on will improve driving conditions and make the road more attractive, but it will also be much less susceptible to breaking down.

“It’s one of our main thoroughfares into Unity, so it’s used a lot, and it’s used by freight trucks as well,” she said. “So, that will have a big impact in making that more sustainable for the future and that will impact some of our residential landowners.”

The town will begin engineering work in the fall. The chunk of the labour, which will take place in 2022, will provide short-term opportunities for local contractors and crews. Del Frari said that if the estimate remains true, they’ll be able to divert some funding into other important projects.

“We’ll use up the grant money no problem, but if we come in under budget, then that’s savings for the town and the taxpayers for sure.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.ca

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