Wet weather slows Melfort projects, but major construction remains on track

“Overall, we have had to adjust schedules and priorities throughout the season, but crews have continued making good progress whenever weather conditions have allowed,” he said.

Among the city’s major projects currently underway are the 2026 Street Renewal Program on Kingston Avenue, the Babington Avenue Local Improvement Project, the Utility Renewal Program, the landfill cell expansion project, and planned traffic safety improvements on Main Street.

According to Lok, the Kingston Avenue and Babington Avenue road upgrades were delayed because of the wet weather. However, the project is still scheduled to be completed during the current construction season.

On Kingston Avenue, the first phase of construction, including removals on roughly half the street, has been completed.

Meanwhile, crews on Babington Avenue are preparing the roadway for paving, with the project expected to be completed by the end of July.

Another project expected to begin in August is the city’s Utility Renewal Project on the 100 block of Higgins Avenue East. The work will involve the installation of a cured-in-place pipe lining in the watermain.

One of the larger projects impacted by the weather has been construction of a new landfill cell.

Lok said wet conditions have slowed work on the access road and earthworks associated with the project. Finding suitable clay material to cap the existing landfill cell has also been challenging because the borrow material has remained too wet to work with efficiently.

The contractor is currently widening the access road to the new cell while also working toward completing the final capping of the existing landfill cell this week.

“Substantial completion of the project is anticipated around August 10, weather permitting,” Lok said.

“At this point, there is no immediate impact for residents. The existing landfill continues to operate as normal, and waste disposal services have not been affected.”

Lok added the new landfill cell will become operational once construction and required testing are completed.

The recent windstorm that moved through Melfort on Saturday also created additional work for city crews.

“The biggest impact from the windstorm is cleanup,” Lok said.

Public Works and Community Services staff have been removing fallen trees, branches and debris from roads, parks and public spaces, with the priority focused on ensuring public areas remain safe and accessible.

At last Monday night’s city council meeting, administration also discussed plans to install Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) at three Main Street intersections: Burrows Avenue, MacLeod Avenue and Crawford Avenue.

The upgraded pedestrian buttons will provide both audible signals and vibrating indicators designed to improve accessibility for people with vision or hearing impairments, mobility challenges, seniors and young children.

Lok said the project was developed following concerns raised by residents during a presentation to council in 2024 regarding pedestrian accessibility at the intersections. Funding for the project has been secured through the SGI Traffic Safety Fund.

Despite weather-related setbacks, Lok said the city remains focused on completing a busy slate of infrastructure projects.

“The City has several significant infrastructure investments underway that will improve roads, utilities, recreation facilities, traffic safety, and landfill operations for years to come,” he said. “Staff, contractors, and consultants have worked together to adjust schedules as conditions changed, and we appreciate residents’ patience and understanding while this important work is completed.”

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by northeastNOW

Wet weather slows Melfort projects, but major construction remains on track

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