Details of the City of Moose Jaw's 2024 Infrastructure Renewal Program were released during the city council meeting on Monday night. 

As part of the program, the city will be replacing 2.3 kilometres of water main pipes in the following locations: 

  • Coteau Street West from Eighth Avenue Southwest to 12th Avenue Southwest 
  • Ninth Avenue Southwest from Coteau Street West to Grandview Street West 
  • Main Street North from Manitoba Street East to River Street East 
  • River Street East from Main Street North to First Avenue Northeast 
  • Rorison Avenue from Pascoe Crescent to Thatcher Drive 
  • Grace Street from Corman Crescent to Thatcher Drive  
  • Thatcher Drive West from Grace Street to 16th Avenue Northwest 

Affected property owners should have received further information about the program. There was also an open house information session in City Hall council chambers on Wednesday night. 

As part of the plan, city council approved an exemption for the Department of Operations Engineering Services under the Noise Bylaw to allow contractors to perform work between 5 a.m. and midnight. 

Under the current bylaw, construction noise can only occur between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. 

The exemption would affect the following locations: 

  • Main Street North southbound lane from Manitoba Street East to River Street East; 
  • Main Street North northbound lane from Fairford Street to Manitoba Street East; 
  • Main Street North from MacDonald Street to Saskatchewan Street East; 
  • Main Street North near City Hall; 
  • Thatcher Drive from Grace Street to 16th Avenue Northwest; 
  • Thatcher Drive southside lane from the East Service Road to Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation driveway entrance; and 
  • River Street East from Main Street North to 1st Avenue Northeast. 

The exemption would allow crews to work around business hours and minimize the impact of the construction. 

“The locations requested are due to the fact that they’re commercial areas or areas where there’s not residents impacted,” said Director of Operations Bevan Harlton. “We’re looking at ways to expedite work here and give our contractor opportunities to get work done faster, working around and avoiding residential homes.” 

Coun. Crystal Froese said she’s heard complaints about road crews making repairs overnight and was wondering if communication with residents could have been better. 

“It’s also prudent to somehow notify citizens that this is going to happen so that they don’t think it’s going to carry on night after night or how long it’s going to take. Being proactive I think would help avoid a few complaints,” said Froese. 

Harlton said notices usually go out to residents when lanes are closed or utility services need to be shut off. However, he said he was aware of the overnight work although he didn’t know the specifics about locations. 

“I’ve seen some information around some work that occurred overnight, and I haven’t had anything put to me formally about specific locations. For my own part, I was really happy to see that our roadways crew was that aggressive to get out there and do work. It could be that we’ve caused ourselves to have to look at some processes that we didn’t previously,” said Harlton. 

Coun. Doug Blanc had concerns because the intersection Coteau Street West and Ninth Avenue Southwest was not on the list. Harlton explained that the exemption would allow his crews to be flexible. He said that intersection was a concern for him too and, if times allow, they will work extended hours there to expedite the process.