On the heels of the traffic slowdowns and distruptions from the Ponoka Stampede, local motorists need to be on the watch for road restrictions and closures for the next few weeks.
The Town of Ponoka released its annual paving and road repair program for the summer on Monday, July 11 which will see 12 different locations undergo either new pavement or a reconstruction of the road. The program this year will see nearly $338,000 spent, a slight increase of about $2,000 over last year.
Ponoka’s director of operations and property services Dave McPhee stated in a release that they are able to complete nearly twice as much work as last year with the same amount of money due to getting lower bids from contractors competing hard for the work due to the present economy.
The largest project, and likely the biggest inconvenience for motorists, will be the milling and then repaving of 50 Street between 50 and 53 Avenue that will see traffic controls put in place during the work. Many of the other projects are relatively small and will involve minimal disruptions to traffic.
The program will also see the north end of the runway at the Ponoka Airport milled down and resurfaced. In addition, crews are also making repairs and replacement work to curbs, gutters and sidewalks in various parts of town.
Motorists and pedestrians are asked to use caution and observe all signage.
For more information and a list of paving project locations, go to the town’s website at www.ponoka.ca.