Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 03/02) - Two sections of 51st Avenue remain closed for road reconstruction but road crews have not been seen in the area for almost a week now.

Road crews dug up sections of road between Subway and Boston Pizza and a section near Canadian Pizza several weeks ago.

The sections have been closed but crews have not been working on them over the past week.

The city's director of public works said the workers have not abandoned the area but have been alternating work around the city.

"The crews are working at Niven Lake ... in Phase 2 they're doing some water and sewer work. The residents there have already started building houses," said Greg Kehoe.

But have no fear. Kehoe said all areas of the city are a priority and the downtown area is not being neglected.

"It's just a matter of crews going back and forth a little bit," he said.

Kehoe expects road crews to reconvene downtown over the next few days to continue work. In the area near the liquor store, Kehoe said the storm sewers are collapsing and the storm lines need to be replaced.

"That's why there's been potholes and bumps and all that kind of stuff," he said.

At the corner of 51st Avenue near Canadian Pizza Kehoe says crews are upgrading from an inline fire hydrant to one that has a vault.

"Why that's a good thing is it enables the city to shut off water in different areas if it needs to," he said.

Because the existing fire hydrant is aging, Kehoe said the city has been worried about whether it will function or not.

"So as part of a management plan for the city we want to replace the older ones," he said, adding the fire hydrant on Horton Crescent will be replaced this summer as well.

"It's going to be a busy year," said Kehoe.