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By Glory Przekop

Winter weather could impact the start of downtown construction

Apr 5, 2018 | 7:12 AM

If the cold weather continues there is a chance the start of construction in downtown Grande Prairie could be delayed.

The city’s spokesperson for the Downtown Rehabilitation and Streetscape project  Monty Haughian says the cold and snow means the frost will stick around longer.

“Everyday that we prolong the freezing temperatures, the frost will not be coming out of the ground which can impact a start date. Basically, the frost in a driven road like that can get as far as five or six feet thick so it is very intrusive to start the work.”

He says because 100th avenue is east-west, a portion is blocked from the sun and will take even longer to thaw adding the contractor may be able to remove the top layer of pavement.

“But the frost underneath can cause issues when you are trying to find utilities, the shallower utilities that will be in the frosted area if they have to and it is hard on the equipment to work, it is just a major concern.”

The multi-phase rehabilitation and streetscape project with the third phase concentrating around 100 Avenue between 100 Street and 102 Street.

by Glory Przekop