'Largest year on record' for water-related road work in Saint John

Does construction season in east Saint John seemextra-intense this year?

It's not your imagination.

"This is the largest year on record for Saint John Water as far as road construction work is concerned," said Brent McGovern, the water commissioner.

McGovern said most of the on-street pipe work needed for the city's Safe Clean Drinking Water Project is being completed this year, thanks to funding from the federal and provincial governments.

Since mid-April, the eastbound lane of Loch Lomond Road has been closed from Hickey Road to Bon Accord Drive while the cityinstalls new water-related infrastructure. Once that's complete, "then we will commence work on Westmorland Road," McGovern said.

In addition to that work, in mid-June two of the four lanes on McAllister Drive will be shut down as crews install new water pipes between Hubert Street and Mountain View Drive.

The work on McAllister Drive will replace "old, cast-iron water mains that are not reliable, and avoid disruptions for businesses and residences," McGovern said.The project will also involve reinstatement of concrete curb, concrete sidewalk and asphalt as required.

"There will still be two lanes open in each direction, so traffic should continue to flow through there pretty well," McGovern said. "There will be some disruptions at times, but that should be limited."

The project is expected to start next month and continue through September.

But wait there's more!

In addition to the McAllister Drive work, drivers can expect delays on Rothesay Avenue between Thorne Avenue and down to McLean Street, where traffic will be restricted to two lanes from four.

On the west side, work will take place on George Street starting later this month, and work is continuing on Ocean Westway as part of the Safe Clean Drinking Water Project.

The bottom line:folks driving in east Saint John should prepare fordelays between now and September.

All of this necessary to prepare for commissioning the new water treatment plant this year, "as well as the well field that will be going online on the west of the city later this summer," McGovern said.

So far, McGovern said the disruptions haven't been that bad, all things considered and the work on Loch Lomond Road is on schedule.

"Traffic has been moving relatively well thanks to the drivers and residents of the area," he said. "They've really been good to work along with, as have Port City Water partners and their subcontractor Gulf Operators. We've received positive comments from residents."

Saint John Water is still hoping to open up the currently closed section of Loch Lomond by mid-June, he said.

Two information sessions on the construction will be held Tuesday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Threshold Ministries at 105 Mountain View Dr.

Drivers areadvised to check the city's site for updated information touse caution, plan for delays and watch out for workers and moving equipment when driving through construction zones.