Yellowknife (Dec 06/06) - The City of Yellowknife has set aside about $5 million for the next three years in the 2007 draft budget for paving projects on the streets in the worst shape - which seem to be mostly in the downtown core.

In the draft budget for 2007, $1,360,000 has been allotted for a road reconstruction projects on 50th Street, Demelt Crescent and the Niven Lake phase four area.

The 50th Street project description within the budget reads in part, "In general, the City downtown streets and sidewalks were constructed prior to 1968 and are in poor condition."

The manager of one business on the street, who did not want to be identified, said people loitering and drinking along the strip are more of a concern to her than the state of the roads and sidewalks.

"We all know what is bad for our business on the street, and it's not the condition of roads and sidewalks," she said.

However, Coun. Bob Brooks said that the city's downtown street projects can be seen as a beautification step.

"Besides the paving, one thing we're doing in the downtown core is to make the sidewalks wider and more people-friendly," he said. "Also, trees and benches will be added to make the downtown core more... of a people place."

The 2007 draft budget estimates spending $1.93 million in 2008 and $1.83 million in 2009 on road rehabilitation.

For 2008, the continuation of reconstruction of 50th Street is planned, along with the start of reconstruction of 49th Avenue. The other 2008 projects will be the second phase of Old Airport Road and Drybones Drive.

Phase three of Old Airport Road reconstruction is planned to continue in 2009. The next street downtown scheduled to be worked on in 2009 is 51st Street, which will include benches, sidewalks and trees.

Whenever the City digs up a street for re-paving, Northland Utilities takes the opportunity to re-jig the underground system for street and traffic lights.

"We work closely with the City in their road projects," said Lisa Empson, an engineer assistant with Northland Utilities.

"We haven't seen the city's plans yet but they are usually finalized in January and February. When this happens, we'll sit down with the city and make our plans with them."