WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — Construction appears to be going as it should be on John, Truelove and Crawford streets in Cobden.
There was a glitch when a sidewalk was going to be put in on both sides of John Street, however, with assistance from councillors Chris Olmstead and Charlene Jackson, that issue was put to rest.
It will now be a curb that can be parked on, said Whitewater Region Mayor Hal Johnson.
Late last week, the issue of sidewalks on both sides of John Street arose when a post appeared on facebook. Mayor Johnson said it had been agreed there would be no sidewalk where there hadn’t been one previously, but that hadn’t been corrected in the drawings.
He explained that when the idea of a sidewalk was proposed, it was so people walking from Truelove Street onto John Street would not have to cross the road, as well, with rehabilitation happening, it made sense to put in two sidewalks, since the road had to be dug up to replace water, sewer and storm lines, it made sense to put in the sidewalk.
While replacing the sidewalk with a curb shouldn’t increase the budget for the work, Mayor Johnson said it could delay the project in that area because a curb machine will have to be scheduled in, which could be as late as mid-September.
Another concern from a resident was the placement of a fire hydrant in the middle of her front yard at the sidewalk. Mayor Johnson said there is certain criteria that must be followed under provincial guidelines from the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office regarding fire hydrants. However, if the property had gone through the proper channels of communication prior to the hydrant being installed, it may have been moved. To do so now would cost about $18,000 and the cutting into and patching of a new waterline – and he would prefer that not happen.
As for construction, Mayor Johnson said all the pipework and connections should be completed by the middle of next week.
During the construction, he said most residences have had access to and from the area, with possibly a few interruptions.
“The contractor was trying his best to minimize disruptions,” he said.
He noted prior to construction beginning on those three streets, all property owners were made aware of what was happening, including the inconvenience of having the roads reconstructed and pipes replaced.
The next big job to happen in downtown Cobden, are the sidewalks to be replaced on both sides of Main Street from Hwy. 17 to the Algonquin Trail.
The contractor will try to minimize disruptions to businesses and residents along the street. Prior to this construction occurring, which should be about the first week of September, Mayor Johnson said all property-owners will have a face-to-face discussion with the contractors, as well as receive a letter.
The contractor will be under “tremendous scrutiny” because the work is being done on Main Street, he said.
It’s expected the west side will be done first, which is the side the municipal office is located, and once completed, the east side. Mayor Johnson said the contractor will most likely start at one end and work his way to the other end in a sequence of form, pour, finish, protect, form, pour, finish, etc.
Mayor Johnson realizes construction can cause disruptions, but believes there are three types of people when dealing with construction sites. There are those who believe the construction needs to be done but they shouldn’t be inconvenienced; those who want it done as quickly as possible; and those who will patiently wait while the project is being done, knowing it’s a necessity.
“When you think you’re doing great things, is when you will run into a lot of opposition,” he said. “It doesn’t matter the project.
“You can’t custom-fit a project to every individual property, because if you did, you’d have places with sidewalks, places without sidewalks, narrow sidewalks, wide sidewalks, high sidewalks, low sidewalks, it’s just unfortunate you can’t custom-fit it.”
Mayor Johnson said if anyone has a concern with the construction to contact the township office, 613-646-2282.
