LAC LA BICHE - Lac La Biche County's infrastructure boss offered some food-for-thought this week on a continuing construction project near one of the community's two major grocery stores.
Ali Memon, the municipality's general manager of infrastructure says that while the construction project to replace major watermain infrastructure began several months ago, the project's current progress is now only blocking one main access point to the Independent Grocers store, not two, as it had been.
The most recent work on the project has blocked 105 Street beside the grocery store at the primary intersection of Main Street. In previous months, that main roadway was open, but two other access roads to the grocery store and other businesses further south were blocked to traffic.
One road closed, two now open
"We closed that road, but at the same time we have opened two access points ... so there are some options," said Memon this week.
The senior municipal administrator says he understands the frustration that the construction project has caused to businesses, residents and motorist – but says the work was necessary, and is moving along on schedule.
"There are options ... but sometimes ... well, we can understand their frustrations or concerns, but we are trying to accommodate wherever possible and as much as we can," he said, explaining further that he has made in-person visits to businesses affected by this project and several others in the community. He also says that municipal officials have done what they can to communicate to the community about the ongoing projects affecting business, travel and traffic.
"We want to assure our people and our business community that we are taking care of you and are trying to accommodate wherever possible - but sometimes it's hard," he said.
The watermain project on 105 Street, as well as a similar, long-running project affecting residential properties and traffic along 104 avenue are both expected to be completed by the end of September.
