Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 26/00) - Once again it's the time of year for killer road conditions and overflowing storm sewers.

Employees of the city's Public Works Department hit the streets last weekend in an attempt to reduce the amount of water gushing out of several frozen storm sewers.

Motorists are in for a bumpy ride on the section of Franklin Ave. near the Igloo Inn this spring. Public Works employees will be patching that area sometime this summer -- Tara Kearsey/NNSL photo

"They were working on them Friday and Saturday so I assume they've got the storm sewers open as much as they need to," said Gary Craig, director of Public Works on Monday.

The department has a crew of eight working on roads and sidewalks and 15 employees are working on water and sewerage.

As for street paving, the city is looking at completing 58th Ave. and one section on Forrest Drive this year. Taylor Drive will receive water and sewer upgrading and re-paving, and Sissons Court and Phimney Court will also be re-paved.

"Paving will probably begin in July, but it could be later than that because we have to get all of the water and sewer work done ... it's going to be more like August," said Craig.

If you are one of many Yellowknife residents who have been complaining about the road conditions on Franklin Ave. near the Igloo Inn, you can rest assured that some patching will be done in that area.

Craig said that section of road is so rough this year because the city had to dig up the sewer lines.

"We usually go and patch the service areas in the summer, but it depends on the paving contract and the timing with the water and sewer work," he said.

The tender for water and sewer work has not yet been awarded, but several bids have been received.