Work on the water main and sewer connections along Government Road has begun.

“Work is just getting underway,” said Claude Morin, Superintendent of Public Works. “Yesterday they started fencing off the work area, protecting the work zone.”

Excavation was scheduled to begin today.

“The work should proceed fairly quickly,” said Morin. “But yet, nonetheless, there are going to be those inconveniences for the residents and we certainly appreciate their cooperation and understanding during the construction phase.”

The project is currently blocking off traffic beginning at First Avenue down to Prairie Avenue. In about two weeks time, that section will be complete and the crews will block off the section between Prairie Avenue and Bison Avenue. Then, after that section is complete, they’ll finish up the last section between Bison and Coteau Avenue.

The work is planned to be complete by the end of August.

Morin noted that nearby residences will have a temporary overland water supply.

“Each block, when the main replacement is underway, people will be hooked up on a temporary basis with a temporary overland supply,” he explained. “What that means is we are utilizing fire hydrants outside the work area, and we are running the overland water supply down the back alleys and then servicing the houses individually.”

Morin said the work may cause inconvenience now, but it will all be worthwhile.

“People are going to benefit from a much improved infrastructure in that area, once the work is all complete, despite the short term inconveniences they need to go through in order for us to complete that work.”

He added that alternate routes will be accessible and detours are clearly marked. Currently, Prairie Avenue and Assiniboia Street are the thoroughfare for anyone wanting to go from south Government road across First Avenue. With the second phase, the detour will be Mergens Street and with the third phase the detour will be Mergens Street and Foster Street.

The work being done on Government Road beginning at First Avenue North is for replacing the water main and sewer connections along the main thoroughfare down to Coteau Avenue East.

Prairie Avenue up to First Avenue North along Government Road is the first section having work done for the six-week project.