For the hundreds of people who park in the Trail Memorial Centre lot on weekdays, there’s a big change coming up next week.
Beginning Monday, June 3, the city will be working on the parking lot entrance apron, so this way in to the stalls will be closed for the duration of the job.
Instead, parking lot access will be from Pine Avenue, with exiting vehicles encouraged to drive around the facility.
The work is anticipated to wrap up by Friday, June 7.
The city’s David Moorhead says the job is minor in scope, and only seems larger in scale due to the volume of notices that had to go out advising parking lot users of the temporary change.
“Currently the entrance apron is constructed of asphalt and the seam which meets the highway roadway on Victoria Street is also asphalt creating a weak spot,” Moorhead explains.
“While this alone is not a large issue, the area where they meet has minimal grade to expel any water that is drained from either the apron or Victoria Street, and thus this water sits in the low depression.”
During colder months the water freezes and thaws causing heaving and cracking, allowing water to penetrate the asphalt layers.
Constant traffic shifts the wet base below causing potholing, alligator cracking and general asphalt failure.
“To remedy these issues, the asphalt apron will be replaced with a thicker, more durable concrete layer, built to appropriate standards,” Moorhead notes.
“Additionally, at the seam a new curb and gutter system will be installed that ‘bridges’ the existing curb and gutter system to either side of the entrance.”
The objective is to gain as much grade as possible across the apron so that water no longer sits within this area; however, there are several localized fixed structures that make changing the grade difficult. The work is expected to be efficacious because a concrete gutter system can better withstand the elements over time.
The city is doing the job now as a tie-in to Highway 3B re-paving currently underway.
“City staff felt this was the best time to accomplish the work as the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will soon be milling and paving this section of Victoria Street,” Moorhead adds.
“As such, with our new curb and gutter system in place, they can seal their new asphalt layer to the concrete creating a much more durable seam.”
He reminds passersby that crews and equipment will be on site, and to be aware and use extra caution while in the parking lot.
The two sidewalk letdowns and crossing points will be unavailable. Pedestrians are encouraged to cross at Pine Avenue, or Bay Avenue, until the parking lot entrance reopens.
