Once the next phase of the Main Street Revitalization project resumes on April 23, it won’t only be a section of Lac La Biche’s downtown core that will be blocked - some areas outside of the main construction zone will also see temporary disruptions.
This year, the third of a four-year, $32.5 million project to replace aging underground infrastructure and upgrade surface features, the main construction area is from 101 Street to 101 Street along 101 Avenue. And while that entire area is slated to be closed to traffic until the end of October, there will be some other, shorter-term projects taking place as well.
During the first phase of this year’s project, Lac La Biche County spokesperson Jihad Moghrabi said work will also be taking place a full block away, at the100 Street intersection near the entrance to the Lac La Biche Recreation Grounds and the new McArthur Park upgrade. Moghrabi says that intersection is tentatively planned to be closed from May 7-9 for the installation of a new storm sewer main.
To keep traffic moving, Moghrabi said the 101 Street intersection at the ATB will remain open until the water main is installed.
On Tuesday morning, with construction only a week away, crews with Carmacks Enterprises, the general contractor for all of the phases of the project, could be seen around the downtown area, Lac La Biche installing road signs and detour information.
“All side streets that are affected, along with the detour, will have signage installed to notify motorists,” Moghrabi told Lakeland This Week. “There will also be virtual message boards further east and west of the project to provide advance notice.”
Maps and details
Moghrabi continued by saying that the County will soon be sharing the road closure notices-along with traffic accommodations maps-with affected residents and businesses. He said the municipal website has current information about this year’s construction. He also stated that other project notices were shared with business owners in the area previously, and that County staff have already had in-person discussions with many business owners in the area.
When the Main Street revitalization project was first approved by Lac La Biche County council in 2018, it came with an estimated price tag of $16 million. Prior to last year’s construction phase, the price tag had increased to $32.5 million.
