Battleford council discussed a proposed paving project for Third Ave. W. at its recent meeting. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

In the chambers

Battleford takes first steps for Third Avenue West resurfacing project

Jan 23, 2020 | 3:49 PM

Battleford lawmakers discussed plans for the Third Ave. W. road rehabilitation project at a recent meeting.

The work will involve paving a portion of the road that is in poor condition, located between 35th and 36th Streets, near ACT Park.

This is the next top priority road upgrade project on the town’s list.

The town plans to undertake the work as a local improvement project, with the town and the property owners impacted both paying a portion of the cost.

“It’s just a small paving project,” Mayor Ames Leslie said following the meeting. “More information will come out to the residents in the area where the paving is going to be done, and they can contact town hall if they have any questions.”

POSTAL STRIKE IMPACT

Chamber reaction: Postal strike in rural Sask. sparks concerns for businesses and holiday shipping

10m ago

Semi Turn

Driver error leads to semi getting stuck on railway

28m ago

Nursing education

New early admission option to help alleviate tight timeline for nursing students

7h ago

The full cost of the project is estimated at about $65,000. The town’s share is 60 per cent of the cost or about $39,000, covered through general reserves for surface infrastructure work. The up-to-seven property owners that will benefit from the work will need to pay the remaining 40 per cent of the cost or about $26,000. The estimated cost for each property owner is about $3,714. They will have the option to pay their portion over a seven-year period or earlier, if the project proceeds.

Council authorized administration to prepare a report under the Local Improvements Act for the proposed road resurfacing work.

CAO John Enns-Wind said property owners impacted will have an opportunity to petition to have the work stopped or delayed if they choose.

He mentioned one property that has its frontage on 35th Street appears to use flankage off Third Avenue as a drive-through entrance to park the resident’s recreation vehicle. The CAO said the property owner should be charged a portion of the cost since this property will benefit from the Third Avenue work as well.

“It ought to be subject to a local improvement charge of 50 per cent [estimated at about $1,857], with the remaining 50 per cent equally charged to the remaining properties,” the CAO said.

Enns-Wind also noted another property at the end of 36th Street may be subject to a charge too, depending on where the Third Avenue paving project ends.

The next step is for the proposal to go to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board for approval. Then, the town will hold an open house for the public to learn more about the proposal, as part of the process.

“There are still a number of steps,” the CAO said. “We won’t probably get it out to tender until February or March.”

Coun. Susan McLean Tady said she will be glad to see the work finally done when it is completed, as another councillor mentioned, the road has been in need of upgrades for a number of years.

—

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW