Yellowknife (July 11/03) - If you live in the south end of town, you better plan for some extra time to get to work for at least the next five days.

Starting today (Friday), the city is shutting down a segment of Old Airport Road between Byrne Road and Range Lake Road in front of the hospital and the new Extra Foods site.

Greg Kehoe, director of public works, said the city needs to repair a sewer line that primarily connects to the hospital.

"The sewer line is sagging and when sewer lines sag too much they could back up," said Kehoe. "If you've ever seen a place full of sewer, you'll know what I mean."

Kehoe said he understands this will mean a big detour.

"But if we don't do this it will be worse when something happens to the sewer line, because it will probably happen in the winter," he said.

Kehoe said he estimates the project will take five days to complete.

Detour signs will be placed around the job site to redirect traffic.

The main detour route around the site is along Range Lake Road, Finlayson Drive and Kam Lake Road.