Part of the section of 3 Ave South that will be reconstructed. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge proceeding with $10-million reconstruction of 3 Ave South

Apr 8, 2020 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A motion to discontinue funding to a major road reconstruction project has been defeated 6-2.

It was originally approved in the 2014-2023 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and later moved to the 2018-2027 CIP.

Estimated to cost just over $10-million, its main purpose is to upgrade the existing underground utilities between 4 Street South and 8 Street South, which are said to be some of the oldest in the city.

As well, there would be wider sidewalks, tree plantings, street furniture, more parking spaces, and the improved road would promote different modes of transportation.

“We’ve heard from the business community that they would like to see that project move ahead sooner rather than later,” says Mayor Chris Spearman.

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He adds that this project should get started this year since many businesses in the downtown core are currently closed due to the province’s social distancing measures prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The idea is that, should construction commence in 2021 instead of 2020, local shops would be negatively impacted for two years in a row – the first by COVID-19 and the second by heavy road work.

Councillor Blaine Hyggen was one of two people who voted to discontinue funding for now. Joe Mauro was the other.

He agrees that business is slow right now, but there is no idea yet on when these measures might be relaxed and stores will be allowed to reopen. If that happens this summer or fall when 3 Ave is ripped up, that will significantly damper the abilities of entrepreneurs to get their operations back up to a normal level again.

In addition to that, most construction projects will be moving at a slower pace as long as the 15 person gathering restriction is in effect, so Hyggen believes it would be better to wait a bit until they are able to work at full capacity.

The current plan is to have the tender completed by the end of May and have construction start by August 2020.

If gathering restrictions remain in place, this project could take two-to-three years to complete.

Of the $10-million budgeted, Approximately $5.4-million would come from the provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI), $2-million from the federal gas tax, and the remaining amounts will come from a variety of municipal funding streams.

Councillor Jeff Carlson was unable to vote on this matter due to a conflict of interest.