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Chipsealing set for Fort Liard Hamlet undertaking a number of projects this summer
Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, June 20, 2013
ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
A Hamlet of Fort Liard initiative is expected to reduce the dust and create smoother driving surfaces on two of the community's primary streets.
The Hamlet of Fort Liard's chipsealing project is expected to reduce dust and create a better driving surface on two of the community's streets, including Valley Main Street. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo
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The hamlet plans to spend just more than $500,000 to chipseal Valley Main Street and Black River Road, which connects to it, as well as Birch Street. Combined, the chipsealing project will include 3.5 kilometres.
News of the project has been well received by community members, said Mayor Morris McLeod.
"They are really excited about it. It keeps the dust down," he said.
Chipseal also means people aren't driving through mud or over potholes, he said. This isn't the first time the hamlet has undertaken a chipsealing project.
Approximately seven years ago, Valley Main Street was chipsealed from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' compound to the Liard Valley General Store. The surface, however, didn't last and has mostly broken up.
To improve the life expectancy of the new chipseal, the hamlet did drainage work, including ditching and culverts, last year and again this year.
"I hope it will last a little longer this time," McLeod said.
The chipseal is expected to last about five years, said John McKee, the hamlet's senior administrative officer. Work will begin during the second week of July if the weather co-operates.
Chipsealing isn't the only project the hamlet is tackling this summer. The hamlet is also having a pre-engineered warehouse erected on the bypass road.
The steel building will provide storage for the hamlet's public works department. The project will cost $250,000.
McKee said the project was delayed because the hamlet had difficulty finding a contractor who wanted to do such a small project.
"We have that problem with all our projects," he said.
The hamlet will also be painting the interior of all of its buildings this year, including the water plant, the preschool, the fire hall and the hamlet building.
The only building that won't be painted is the recreation centre.
The hamlet will also be spending $1 million to replace its grader, dump truck and backhoe loader tractor. All three pieces of heavy equipment were purchased in 1995 and are nearing the end of their 20-year life cycle, McKee said.
McLeod said he is excited by the number of projects the hamlet is addressing this summer.
"Usually we don't get this much work done every summer," he said.
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