Town of Hanna Director of Public Works Brent Olesen (far left) reports on the problematic South Municipal Road during the June 10 council meeting. Middle is CAO Matthew Norburn and far right is
Mayor Danny Povaschuk. Rural Alberta Report/Screenshot

Hanna council hears problematic road gets repairs

Stu Salkeld

The Town of Hanna council heard that a problematic road which spurred business owner complaints is getting repairs and surfacing this summer. The report was made at the June 10 regular meeting of council.

 

Director of Public Works Brent Olesen reported that South Municipal Road was currently seeing repairs and upgrades that very week, and over the next few weeks should expect a chip seal surfacing.

 

Olesen reported that during the week of June 10 substantial culvert construction was being done on South Municipal Road. “Special Areas has closed the road,” said Olesen, adding later in the meeting the road had only been closed while a culvert on the west end of the road was replaced. “It was pounded out because the trucks keep making that a wider approach.”

 

Olesen stated Special Areas, the road’s owner, informed businesses along the road about the construction and closure. He noted there was a construction warning sign up and some flag people at certain times.

 

Olesen observed more work was done to control moisture. “We realigned everything so...the water should run properly and it’s going to have about 12 inches of cover,” said Olesen.

 

He stated that more construction work, such as digging out soft spots and laying pit run material, was being done in preparation for South Municipal Road getting overlayed with chip seal pavement this month. Olesen explained that paving crews were expected to work at Fox Lake and Snake Trail first and hopefully get to work surfacing South Municipal Road by the end of June.

 

He stated that plans called for maintenance lift and dust control work before the paving.

 

Olesen also pointed out that both Special Areas and the Town of Hanna will be contacting businesses along South Municipal Road to inform them that, after the chip sealing, snow plowing can no longer be done across the road as it could damage the pavement.

 

But Olesen noted that the work will greatly improve South Municipal Road’s condition. “It’ll be way better,” he said.

 

Coun. Sandra Beaudoin asked if there was any way to prevent trucks from damaging the culvert.

 

Olesen responded that it’s thought the trucks have already pushed the area out as far as it will go and no further damage could be caused.

 

A business owner spoke to council earlier this year about the condition of South Municipal Road: soft, muddy and problematic to their car wash business.

 

Councillors accepted the road construction update as information.