Two water main breaks. Three broken gas lines. An unnotified water shutdown.
It’s been a tough first month of road reconstruction in Point Edward where the largest road project in the village’s history is under way.
“I knew going in there’d be some frustration,” said Deputy Mayor Greg Grimes. But a series of missteps on the job and communication breakdowns resulted in more emails and phone calls of complaint than expected.
Village council heard Tuesday that a meeting was held Monday with representatives from the village, contractor McNally Excavating Ltd., and project manager MIG Engineering, and it’s hoped the complaints have been addressed.
“The owner (McNally) has an understanding of our concerns,” Point Edward’s new operations manager Mike Nesdoly said.
Going forward, village officials, business owners and residents will be better informed. And more attention will be given to the location of water and gas lines, Nesdoly said.
“We stressed there has to be better communication. I believe that’s key,” he said.
At least some of the breaks may have been errors on the part of heavy machinery operators, Nesdoly said. “It could also have been locate issues. I don’t believe it had anything to do with rushing to get the job done.”
Village officials have received multiple requests for additional signage to direct drivers on detour routes to the busy commercial area where Phase One of the project is taking place.
Meanwhile, Lite Street “looks like a war zone,” said Grimes. “I find it hard to believe that (Phase One) can be done on schedule. If it can, great, but I can’t see it.”
Nesdoly said he’s been assured that Phase One, which involves Lite Street from Front to Helena streets, will be completed within a few weeks.
But it won’t be possible to be on schedule with one aspect of Phase One involving a new “bulb out” at the intersection of Helena and Louisa, he said.
The $6-million project is split into four phases and expected to take until the end of September. It encompasses a large, five-block stretch of Lite and St. Clair streets from Front to Michigan Avenue.
The good news is that Phase One requires the most sewer pipe installations, Grimes said.
Phase Two on St. Clair Street (from Bridge to Albert) and Phase Three (from Albert to Charles) are expected to be much faster.
Grimes said he anticipated more on-site workers and far more communication from the contractor.
“I was shocked from day one at how few people are on the project and that the sewer line was laid improperly and had to be relaid,” he said.
“But starting today (Tuesday), you can turn onto Lite Street from Front and get to the businesses in that area,” Grimes said.
“And that’s an improvement.”