The Public Services committee received good news about the Hillside Drive North renewal project at the committee meeting, Thursday.
It was the fifth report item for the committee. Just as it item came up, a few members of the public rose to leave the chamber. Committee chair, Couns. Luc Morrissette, remarked good-naturedly, “Oh, please don’t leave. We’ve got good news coming up!”
“We do have good news,” Acting Director of Public Works, Bill Goulding began. “We have a very proactive and engaged contracting staff for that project. They’ve been very aggressive at making sure that they realize the project in an expedient and organized way, and I’m very satisfied with their progress thus far.”
“I’m bringing this forward to the committee just to further act as a notice to the public that we anticipate that there will be a closure.”
The closure will be a reduced lane on Monday with a full closure of Hillside North near the Seniors Park - just up the hill from the fire station, from Tuesday through Friday. Local access to businesses and commercial facilities will be available from each side of the closure.
Notice provided to residents and businesses
Goulding informed that “We had a request for road closure that has happened on a fairly tight timeline, so staff reacted. We notified the directly affected public as quickly as we could.” A notice by letter has also been delivered.
Bus stop moved
The bus stop located in front of the Hillside Clinic has been moved to Spruce Street, temporarily. Specialized transit will still have access.
Use Hillside South to go downtown
For many Elliot Lakers, the choice of taking Hillside South or Hillside North is an option to go downtown. Couns. Morrissette commented, “I know we’re creatures of habit and we like to keep going the same way .. maybe it would be easier … instead of going down Hillside North to use Hillside South.”
This major infrastructure renewal is expected to be completed this year.