Ali Howat, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
The Municipality of Jasper hosted a public info session on the ongoing Connaught Drive utility servicing project on Sept. 1.
The project was started to help support the development of future affordable housing in the area.
There have been and will continue to be weekly updates posted on social media every Friday on how the project is proceeding.
The municipality says council has made housing development a priority and will continue to make housing a strategic priority.
鈥淚t is a recognized demonstration and a perpetual need in the community,鈥� said Mayor Richard Ireland during the session.
The project has received funding from the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation.
鈥淗aving utility infrastructure in place was going to be a prerequisite for any housing development affordable or otherwise,鈥� said CAO Bill Given.
No housing can be developed if there isn鈥檛 water or sewer services to connect too.
The goal of the Connaught Drive project is to install the deep utility services so sites are ready and available for housing.
The total cost of the project is approximately $7.1 million.
The financing for the project is shared between the general tax base, so all Jaspers taxpayers including those lots south of Connaught Drive that are directly benefiting from the installation of the services.
The most recent update that came out on Sept. 3 included the following:
- Construction at the Spruce Avenue and Patricia Street intersection started Aug. 30 with the replacement of water main valves and piping.
- The Spruce Avenue and Patricia Street intersection opened Sept. 3 to through traffic in order to accommodate long-weekend traffic.
- The Pine Avenue and Patricia Street intersection was also opened Sept. 3 to through traffic in order to accommodate long-weekend traffic.
- The back alley between Spruce Avenue and Patricia Street and between Pine Avenue and Connaught remained closed throughout the long weekend. Residents had access from both Spruce Avenue and Pine Avenue.
- Water Main on Pine Ave will be completed by Sept. 9 and a detour will be in place for westbound traffic. Pine Avenue is scheduled to re-open fully on Sept. 10.
- Spruce Avenue watermain construction will continue throughout next week.
- Water shutdown for the 800 block of Connaught Drive south side of Patricia Street has been rescheduled to Sept. 8. All impacted residents will receive a reused notice on their doors from GS Construction.
- Spruce Avenue is scheduled to re-open fully on Sept. 15.
- Hazel Avenue and Connaught Drive intersection closure was originally scheduled to start Sept. 7 but will be postponed. A new date will be announced in this week鈥檚 update.
