Fort Simpson (July 28/06) - The smell of freshly lain chipseal soon will be drifting through Fort Simpson.

A chipsealing project that will cover almost all of the avenues leading onto the main street is set to begin within the week.

Roads in Fort Simpson are being prepared for chipsealing. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Work will start on driveways and parking lots of people who have expressed interest, said Owen Rowe of Rowe's Construction, the company that was awarded the contract for chipsealing by the village.

Chipsealing on the streets will be finished by the end of the long holiday weekend, Rowe said. All avenues attached to the main street will be chipsealed, although only small sections of 98, 99A and 99B Avenues will be covered. Antoine Drive from the intersection with main street to 102 Ave. will also receive chipseal. There is no set schedule for the order in which the roads will be done.

The decision will be based on traffic flow, although some delays will be unavoidable, Rowe said.

Work is expected to progress quickly. On an open highway, 20km can be finished in a day. In the village, it takes longer because of the tie-ins that are required at intersections, Rowe said.

"We can do quite a bit in a short time," he said. Roads will receive a tight blade before the oil and chipseal is laid. The work will be topped by a fog coat that acts as a sealant and traffic lines.

Chipsealing the roads is a necessity, Mayor Duncan Canvin said.

There has always been a mandate that every road leading on to the main street should be chipsealed to stop the tracking of dust and gravel. Grit brought onto the main street wears away the pavement and the dustiest spots are always at the intersections, he said.

"Having no dust on main street would be just lovely."