Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Windsor recently announced a $4-million reconstruction of Eastlawn Avenue, as part of the ongoing implementation of the sewer master plan to renew and upgrade infrastructure in areas vulnerable to flooding.
The reconstruction between Wyandotte Street East and Edgar Street will begin the week of September 6 and continue until spring 2022.
Sterling Ridge Group says the project involves:
- Replacing 720 metres of Eastlawn Avenue with a new, widened asphalt road
- Installing new, upgraded water main, storm and sanitary sewers
- Widening the existing sidewalk in the south block to meet current accessibility standards
In addition, the city has selected the location to trial a new eco-friendly storm water management system called Silva Cell that has proven successful in Vancouver, Toronto and other urban areas.
An underground structure is designed to intercept runoff using pipe-like “cells” to divert excess water to strategically placed trees. The trees then absorb the water, helping to reduce flooding while promoting a healthy natural environment.
“The importance of getting these Sewer and Coastal Flood Protection Master Plan projects completed is critical to Riverside and to other areas of the city that have been experiencing flooding as a result of storm and overland flooding,” said Windsor councillor Jo-Anne Gignac.
The Eastlawn Avenue reconstruction project is part of a neighbourhood-wide initiative to expand the City’s sewer replacement program. It adds to the nearly 44 kilometres of storm water and sanitary sewers that have been replaced or rehabilitated since the historic rain event of 2017.
Other local roads in Old Riverside scheduled to receive new storm water and sanitary sewer infrastructure this year include Matthew Brady Boulevard and Belleperche Place.
A start date and final cost for these two projects have not yet been finalized.
Windsor council has earmarked $1.6 billion over 10 years to upgrade vital infrastructure like roads and sewers.
“Council’s adoption of the $4.9-billion Sewer and Coastal Flood Protection Master Plan was a historic achievement that set the blueprint for identifying improvements to our city’s infrastructure. Upgrades to our storm and sanitary sewers are taking shape throughout our community to ensure we continue to deliver the highest level of municipal services, reduce the risk of flooding and minimize the impacts of climate change,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens.