NORTH BATTLEFORD - North Battleford residents will see more work on the city's laneways now that city council has approved another tender.
At its meeting Aug. 12, council approved a bid for upgrades for the back laneway to cover two blocks, from 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue, between 102nd and 103rd Streets.
The city noted lane milling and paving in the downtown area is a multi-year project with a budgeted amount of $80,000 in 2024.
Council accepted administration's recommendation to accept the lowest of two bids, from G & C Asphalt, for $69,019, which works out to $34,509 per block.
Administration noted the cost per block is similar to what the cost would be in prior years.
Council also granted $10,000 for contingency costs for the project if needed.
The city also added that just prior to tender, there was a request to include the 1000 block, or 10th Avenue, between 102nd Street and 103rd Street to the project. However, in his report, James Johansen, City Director of Engineering, Planning, Asset Management & Infrastructure, said construction work in that area will be underway shortly as the city recently sold three lots of land adjacent to the lane, so it made more sense to wait until after that was done to accommodate service connections during the process.
He added that city administration can use contingency funds to gravel and grade the lane to improve its condition this year, and complete the 1000 block in a future year following construction. As well, administration recommended a $10,000 contingency cost to address minor changes to the work required, based on site conditions that may be different than predicted.
Coun. Kelli Hawtin noted businesses on the 1000 block were concerned about the state of their alley, so she hoped the city could convey to them what the city plans to do.
"They were concerned about how it is being maintained until it can be milled and re-asphalted," she said. "So, I'm just encouraging administration to keep in touch with those business owners to make sure that they understand what we're doing or we're not doing, and how we can maintain that, maybe for one more year, before we fix it up."
Administration confirmed in the interim the city would still do some work on the 1000 block for maintenance of the laneway.
The city also plans to speak to the businesses to communicate to them what the city plans ahead.
