The City of Airdrie will be working to replace ageing water and sewer lines along Main Street starting sometime this spring or summer.

It will involve digging up entire sections of Main Street to replace the infrastructure, leading to closures between Veterans Boulevard and Elk Hill.

Exactly when those closures will take place is still unknown as the City only closed the tender process on Thursday and a contractor still needs to be selected.

Some business owners are speaking out saying they’re concerned about not having more details on the work and when to expect road closures.

Alma-Louise Norris, who owns the Cobs Bakery located in Tower Lane Mall, said right now she has no idea what to expect when it comes to how her business will be impacted.

“I haven’t seen anything that’s laying out the next six months and how I can then help lessen the effects to my business,” Norris said. “Which is very, very important.”

After AIR 106.1 raised these concerns with the City, they sent out a news release clarifying some of the issues. The City will be doing the work in sections to limit the impact on the business community, but it will still affect local stores.

“We understand closing Main Street will have a significant impact, especially to the business community,” says Glenn Archer Team Leader, Water Services. “However this approach will allow the project to be completed sooner and will be less expensive in the long run.”

The City said it has held a business information session and visited each affected business in an effort to keep them informed. But Norris said she’s still frustrated with a lack of details on the project and how to plan and advertise how residents can get to and from her bakery.

“I’m concerned about our customers being able to get to us, and having the signage and everything updated so that people know how to get to the Tower Lane Mall during this whole process,” Norris explained.

Norris said depending on the length of the closures and access to the mall her business could see sales decline anywhere from 60 to 80 per cent and that threatens her ability to keep the doors open and her staff employed.

“I employ 12 people here, so it’s not just a bakery being open, it’s the livelihood of these people that work for me,” said Norris. “So, I am concerned.”

The City said it will release more details on the scope and duration of the phases of the project once a contract for the work has been awarded, and the phased road closure schedule is confirmed.

When it comes to water and sewer concerns raised by businesses, the city says there should be a limited impact.

“No water shut-offs are expected for businesses or residents. Any disruption in sewer will be short-term and communicated at least 24 hours prior to the disruption,” that according to a statement posted by the City.

Norris said the sooner businesses have details, the easier it will be for them to plan ahead for disruptions to their operations.

 

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