AMHERST, N.S. - Amherst’s Willow Street infrastructure renewal project is scheduled to begin Wednesday.
That’s when road closures and detours will be put in to effect and contractor Beale and Inch Construction Ltd. will begin mobilizing the equipment that will be used during the project. Construction is scheduled to begin on or before Sept. 17.
The work will include the renewal of some of the existing water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer lines on Willow Street between Spring and East Pleasant streets. It will also include the reconstruction and resurfacing of Willow Street in the project area.
“We are committed to maintaining a work site that is safe and orderly,” the town said in a notice to property owners that was hand delivered on Sept. 11 to those directly affected by the project.
The notice told residents that noise, heavy equipment and traffic delays “can be intrusive, but are common elements of construction,” however, the town is “attempting to minimize inconvenience as much as possible.”
“We appreciate your patience while we work to upgrade the infrastructure in your area,” the notice added.
Construction will begin at the Spring Street end of the project and work towards Pleasant Street. There will be no through traffic allowed on Willow Street between Spring and East Pleasant Streets during the project. However, local traffic will have access between Townshend Avenue and the worksite, and from Spring Street once construction moves away from that location.
The detour around the construction site will see motorists using Spring Street, Donald Avenue and Townshend Avenue to get around the construction site.
The notice indicates the typical work day will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but there will be days when work could take place later in the day or on weekends.
Drive way access may be temporarily restricted, but residents will be notified before that takes place. They will also be notified prior to the switchover from the new to the old water lines and given 24-hour’s notice prior to any planned water or sewer interruption.
Access to the sidewalk in the area will be maintained.
Any questions about the project should be directed to capital asset co-ordinator Andrew Bickle at 902-694-0081 or town engineer Ben Pitman at 902-694-0680.
If residents experience an unexpected issue or interruption to their water supply, they are asked to contact town hall at 902-667-3352 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. After hours contact Amherst dispatch at 902-667-8600.
