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Sidewalks, streets starting to take shape on Columbia Avenue

The new downtown Rossland is starting to take shape.

The new downtown Rossland is starting to take shape. Many of the curbs have been laid and we can now see the outline of the new sidewalks.

This week, those sidewalks will continue to be built as sidewalk prep work and the concrete ‘banding’, which is basically the framework, will be poured next to the buildings’ foundation elements, and outward towards the street. This will start on the south side of Columbia Avenue.

The sidewalk mock-up that was to have been laid last week had to be rescheduled to this week due to scheduling conflicts.

They decided that, since this first-laid sidewalk is to serve as a model for the rest of downtown, that it would be best to place the model in an area most typical of the majority of downtown with respect to the exceptions that have to be made due to the unevenness of most of downtown’s building foundations.

They have decided to create it in front of the Leroi building entrance, extending to the entrance of Legacy Gifts.

The work on this first sidewalk should take place Tuesday and Thursday, so please come down on the long weekend to take a look.

The sample will be consistent with the final appearance of the sidewalks in the rest of downtown, except this sample will not yet have the sandblast finish that we will see at the very end of construction.

The water main has been installed in Washington Street and is being tested this week. Sewer and storm mains will follow. The Washington Street intersection will remain closed for now.

The demolition of Harry Lefevre Square continues this week.

Due to unforeseen excavation requirements and the tree root growth, the current trees had to be removed. They will be replaced.

Most of the new trees will be deciduous so as to allow a sunny square in wintertime, but there will be some presence of evergreen as well.

And of course, there will be a spot devoted to our Rossland Christmas tree to be ceremoniously lit during our traditional “Spirit of Christmas” celebrations every winter.

The first layer of paving on Columbia Avenue is officially scheduled for Sept. 24.

This is the first layer of two; the second layer is done at the very end of construction, so as to ensure a very smooth surface, unmarked by heavy machinery.

The contractors and crew, Copcan, will be taking a break for the September long weekend; there will be a little activity Friday, but most construction will be quiet from Aug. 31 and resume Sept. 4.

Mayor Granstrom will be holding weekly office hours, welcoming drop-in visits to him at Rossland City Hall from 10:30-11:30 every Monday.

Due to the September long weekend, his office hours will be held the following Tuesday.

To see graphics portraying the end-goal of this construction project, please take a look at the video display in the window of Rossland Hardware, or watch them below.

Please contact us at columbiaproject@rossland.ca with your comments, concerns, ideas, or questions. The telephone number for technical questions and concerns is 250-362-2328.

~Your Columbia Project Communication Task Force