Weather and soil issues delay Highway 2A
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
The traffic nightmare on Highway 2A will continue for another two weeks due to
delays caused by soil issues and some bad weather.
However, contractors say the issues were unavoidable and construction is continuing
as aggressively as ever.
According to Ken Klassen, project manager with South Rock Ltd., it was originally
expected that the project would be completed by mid-November -- a date which was always
weather dependent.
Now it is expected that work will be completed by the end of November, also dependent
on the weather.
Although Klassen has received complaints from local residents concerned with the
progress of Highway 2A, he said construction is basically on schedule.
'We get a blast of mini winter and everyone is concerned. The (summer-like) weather
will return and we will carry on,' he added.
Klassen explained that because the roads being developed are not yet able to handle
drainage when rain or snow hits, like last week's blast of flurries, dirt crews must
wait until the roadway is dry before continuing with the work.
'Just because it isn't raining doesn't mean it (the road) isn't wet,' he said.
'On a completed road moisture is designed to run off, however, on a partially excavated
road it has to dry out so it takes longer to recover from rain storms,' added Richard
Quail, infrastructure services manager with the town.
'We are in good shape. There is good definition of the ultimate southbound lanes,'
he added.
Despite the few incidents of bad weather, Klassen said crews are expected to start
paving as early as Oct. 2.
Currently, the crews are concentrating their efforts on the downtown core of Highway
2A due to its detailed nature, Klassen explained. Crews have been working on underground
pipes, drainage, electrical work and curbs.
However, in order to prepare the road for paving, Klassen explained crews will be
working to complete the dirt work in the downtown core.
'If weather permits all of the dirt works will be substantially complete by this
weekend,' he said.
On Oct. 2, 3 and 4 the paving will be done on the new lanes and Klassen said once
clean up is completed the road and the new bridge will be open for public use.
'By cleaning up the downtown that will alleviate a large portion of the traffic problems,'
he said.
Once the new lanes are open then traffic will be diverted and the east lanes will
be paved and new curbs installed.
Klassen said, however, the process of paving the east lanes will not be as disruptive
to traffic because there is no underground work to be done.
He said at least one northbound lane will be open at all times during the paving
and sidewalk and curb replacement on the old lanes.
'That is going to take a lot of the heat off the traffic situation,' he said.
In addition, new traffic lights at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and the intersection
of Milligan Drive will be installed as well as retrofitting the lights at Woodhaven
Drive.
However, traffic lights will not be installed at the new intersection of Riverside
Drive and Riverside Way until traffic numbers warrant it, explained Quail.
Due to the concentrated nature of construction in the downtown core, there has been
some concern that there is little or no progress on the north portion of the roadway.
Klassen explained that crews are still hauling dirt from the CanOxy site which must
go through a mixing process with native soil and clay and then tested. 'That takes
time,' he said.
Once another 7,000 tonnes of dirt are mixed, the dirt work on the north end of Highway
2A will be completed.
Klassen explained that gravel must then be laid in preparation for paving -- a much
quicker process than the dirt.
The gravel base of the roadway from Crescent Road to the northern limits is expected
to be completed around Oct. 9-10. Curbs will be installed in the north section in
the first weeks of October and paving is set to commence around Oct. 16-23.
Besides minor landscaping, which will most likely be completed next spring, the entire
portion of Highway 2A with two northbound lanes, two southbound lanes, traffic lights
and some landscaping is expected to be completed by the end of November.
'We will definitely have a new road to drive on this winter,' said Quail.
Klassen added that the town has specifically requested extensive decorative landscaping
for the new roadway which will be more suitable for installation in the spring.
Quail commended the work of South Rock so far. 'By all accounts they have been doing
a very good job.'
Anyone wishing more information on the progress of the road construction is welcome
to stop by the Atco trailer located on the northwest corner of Elizabeth Street and
Highway 2A or call 938-1867.
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Belting back-country ballads
Juno award winner Fred J. Eaglesmith, shown
with band member Darcy Yates, wows the crowd at the Flare 'n' Derrick in Turner Valley
Friday night performing original country songs that often poked fun at Eaglesmith's
self-proclaimed 'white trash' lifestyle. The performance was the first in this year's
Beneath the Arch concert series which features live musical acts throughout the fall
and winter.
photo by Jennifer Wiley
Turner Valley Discovery Centre faces demolition
deadline
By Gillian Beckett
Staff Reporter
A long-standing landmark within Turner Valley may face demolition crews unless
another use for it is found by the end of this week.
The walls of the Discovery Centre will soon come tumbling down due to its disuse
and poor conditions unless an offer comes forward to restore the old building.
Deputy mayor Bev Goble explained during question period at town council's regular
meeting on Sept. 18 that efforts to restore the Discovery Centre have been unsuccessful.
'The Discovery Centre committee has entertained the idea to try to restore it,' said
Goble. 'Unfortunately it was not successful (due to funding limitations).'
However, Goble added that in August, the committee requested a reprieve for one month
in order to search for a buyer for the building.
She said that the Discovery Centre site was being considered as an optional office
for Talisman Energy Inc. but so far the company has yet to respond.
'Town council had agreed to give 30 days until the Sept. 30 date for Talisman to
make the offer,' said Goble. 'To date we have not heard from them.'
Council has suggested demolishing the old building mainly due to its failing structural
condition and the fact that it has not been used for many years.
Goble noted that the Discovery Centre has also been the target for vandalism and
break-ins. '(The building) creates a hazard,' said Goble. 'Kids get in there and
I'm afraid that they will get hurt. . . it is not a safe place to be.'
The matter of what lies ahead for the future of the Discovery Centre will come back
to council in October.
The building was previously owned by Western Decalta and, later, Talisman Energy
for use as an office for the gas plant.
When the gas plant closed, the town used the Discovery Centre as a meeting place
for the local Girl Guides and Cadets.
However, the building was closed altogether about five years ago after building inspectors
discovered large amounts of asbestos within its structure.
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