A small portion of the eastbound lane of Loewen Boulevard remains closed as crews finish up the wastewater force main project.

Work began along Loewen Boulevard in early April, and at least a small stretch of the eastbound lane has been closed ever since.

City Engineer Aaron Rach says the final portion of the project was the installation of a couple of new manholes at the Home Street intersection. Unfortunately, he notes ever since the manholes were installed, the weather has been quite wet and cool, not ideal drying conditions.  

“The granular material that was placed back in the excavation is taking longer to dry out and firm up than expected and in the interest of not having motorists travel over there which could become unsafe due to rutting and everything, we're maintaining that closure until that is all firmed up." 

When we do get drying weather, Rach says it shouldn’t take long for the area around the manholes to firm up.  

He adds “We ask that people remain patient. Even with the best, well-laid plans sometimes a wrench gets thrown in the gears. We strive to meet these targets but in the case of this intersection [the closure] is in the interest of public safety. We don't want to reopen something that could potentially lead to an accident or damage to a resident's vehicle.”  

Meanwhile, Rach says crews are currently working to upgrade the lift station across from the old medical clinic.  

“The road closure you see in front of that building just west of Henry Street is ongoing. It's a confined site and the contractor needs some additional space to do the work. Traffic is maintained there, there's the loss of the parking lane, but both east and westbound traffic is maintained through there.”