by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
FORESTERS FALLS — The reconstruction of Government Road is now complete.
The 6.8 kilometre stretch between Powers Road and Foresters Falls Road was pulverized and all of the culverts in poor condition, which was about 75 percent of them, were changed, said Bill Misener, public works manager for the Township of Whitewater Region.
The road was also raised in the swampy areas, he said, adding, some of the corners were sloped to make for better travel.
There was also top soil added to portions of the road to make for a better sloped bank, so there’s not such a drop-off, Mr. Misener explained.
Once that work was completed by public works employees, Greenwood Paving came in and did double surface treatment of tar and chip. Explaining, Mr. Misener said one layer of tar and gravel is laid down and packed followed by a second layer of tar and gravel, that is also packed down.
“A smaller stone is used for the second layer of gravel,” he said.
He noted Greenwood Paving began work Thursday morning and were completely done by mid-afternoon on Friday.
As the road settles, Mr. Misener said there may be some minor aesthetic work to be done.
The budget for Government Road is $350,000 and Mr. Misener has not yet worked out what the actual cost is.
“I’m sure it’ll probably be close to the original numbers,” he said.
Grants Settlement Road is still under construction from La Passe Road to Powers Road, Mr. Misener said.
Construction on this road included putting in sub-drains near the county culverts and adding gravel, he said.
“We found the road was deteriorating because of springs in the hills,” he said, adding, “So we put tile drains down the centre of the road.”
Mr. Misener said the road is also being widened to 8.4 metres from 6.25 metres to allow for a “hardened shoulder to enhance active transportation.”
Grants Settlement Road will also be double surface treated and it’s hoped to be completed by Sept. 15. He said after that date there’s no sense in treating it because it’s too late in the season.
While there are detour signs in place while work is being done, Mr. Misener said the road is being kept open as much as possible.
“It was just a pre-cautionary measure, in case we had to close the road,” he said.
