Yellowknife (May 19/06) - You can expect a smoother ride around town as repaving projects get underway this summer.

The projects are part of the three-year paving plan included in the Capital Improvement Plan of the 2006 Budget Update.

The sections being paved/reconstructed as part of the plan include: Larocque Crescent, Bourque Drive, Niven Drive, Peace River Flats, Lundquist Road, Mitchell Drive, 51st Avenue, 49th and 50th Street, and Old Airport Road. The Old Airport Road project will see a section of sidewalk paved, the next phase after previous upgrades along the road.

Last summer, the section of Old Airport Road from the Co-op to Borden Drive was paved and a new sidewalk was added. Upgrades to the intersection of Old Airport Road and Range Lake Road were also completed.

The city allocated $1,825,000 for roads and sidewalks rehabilitation in its 2006 budget. The life of pavement is typically 20-25 years, which is dependent on a variety of factors.

Greg Kehoe, director of the Department of Public Works and Engineering at Yellowknife City Hall, said the work is slated to be done this summer.

"We are hoping to award a tender. Council gets to do that, and the next step in the process is on May 15, when the committee meets," he said.

During that meeting, the school tax levy and water/sewer contract B will also be addressed.