City drivers will enjoy a smoother ride in Red Deer on one of Red Deer’s most travelled and complaint-ridden roadways with the completion of this season’s rehabilitation work.
The 32nd Street project was put to rest for 2012 on Monday.
Frank Colosimo, Engineering Services Department manager, said crews finished on schedule and just before the snow came down on Tuesday.
Colosimo said this roadway has been a source of complaints for many years and motorists were patient throughout the summer construction period.
The $9.75-million major road upgrade began just west of 47th Avenue, heading east to just past 40th Avenue in August.
The work included replacing the road surface and installing deep strength asphalt and adding a westbound right turning lane at 32nd Street and Spruce Drive, and eastbound and westbound turning lanes at 40th Avenue and 32nd Street.
In addition to the road rehabilitation work, crews began installation of a three-metre asphalt trail on the north side of 32nd Street from Spruce Drive to 30th Avenue, replacing sidewalk.
The heavy duty upgrades forced road closures and traffic detours for nearly three months.
The entire project is expected to be completed by September 2013.
“The last of it is not going to be as intrusive as this year,” said Colosimo. “There will be some road closures but there will be more short-term road closures.”
Next year’s work order includes putting down a final lift (two inches) of asphalt, landscaping and extension and widening of the pathways.
Work is expected to get underway after the May long weekend.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com