By Rosalind Russell – Joël Yusko, Espanola’s Manager of Environmental Services and Special Projects says despite staffing shortages, he expects the Highway Six retrofit will be completed by the end of the year.
He says paving contractors are in high demand at this time of year and staff shortages seem to be a perpetual issue since the pandemic.
However, to protect the municipal investment, he says the town has insisted that the contracted specifications be followed with having two layers of base before traffic is switched to the new surface.
He adds that the contractor is expected to carry out the work today with work on the north bound lane beginning next week.
Yusko says the amount of time to complete the northbound lane will be significantly less with only 120 metres of storm sewer pipe to be installed and restoration of the road to be finished.
Yusko emphasizes with that timeline the project is still expected to be completed this year.
Photo: Highway Six construction in Espanola is expected to be completed by the end of the year according to Public Works. Photo by Rosalind Russell