“Unhappy” situation for Vankleek Hill village roadwork project

 

 

Mayor Gary Barton, at the start of his last official appearance as head of Champlain Township council, expressed his displeasure Tuesday evening about the situation.

 

“They (contractors) have been told very directly that we’re not pleased with the way things are going,” Barton said.

 

Cornwall Gravel is the overall contractor for the project dealing with the portion of Highway 34 which intersects with High Street through the village centre. The original work agreement called for maintaining a one-lane through traffic route. That was later modified to allow for a three-week full traffic closure to allow quick completion of underground water and sewer line replacement at the village centre intersection.

 

“It’s been seven weeks now,” said Barton. “We are really suffering on that part of Highway 34. The businesses are suffering, the people living in the area are suffering.”

 

The mayor noted that construction crews have encountered some unexpected difficulties during the course of the project, including at least one sewer line break.

 

Public Works Director James McMahon told council that a site meeting is scheduled for Wednesday with the contractor to review the situation and decide how to proceed now that the cold weather has arrived.