By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As the doldrums of the winter fade into the spring fog, the City of Mount Pearl’s public works department has switched into cleanup mode.
Councillor Jim Locke detailed the maintenance work for his colleagues during last week’s public council meeting.
Drivers will be glad to know pothole repair is underway, and pedestrians may notice litter being collected. Street widening has been replaced with sidewalk and street sweeping, and maintenance to City greenspaces, manholes, and catch basins is underway. While the outdoor skating rinks are being dismantled, plans to reopen the trailside kiosk are ongoing.
“Preparation for the upcoming 2024 summer season is underway,” Locke said citing work throughout the city’s parks network and trails, landscape preparation, and the removal of a playground structure on Pembury Close.
The City’s farm tractors, lawn mowers, street sweepers and vacuum trucks are also undergoing service and maintenance.
As far as public utilities go, the City is currently dealing with plugged sewers and other water and sewer repairs, leak detection, hydrant repair and replacement, and lift station inspection and maintenance.
Councilor Bill Antle noted too that the 2024 construction season in Mount Pearl has already begun.
Work on Birch Avenue, Farrell Drive, and Carroll Drive has resumed, while Olympic Drive will see some activity early this month.
The tender for asphalt and concrete repairs closed last month, as did a request for proposals for engineering and design for Holden Street upgrades, as well as the design for Jackman Drive upgrades.
The tender for the Wyatt Boulevard lift station upgrades is scheduled to close in the fall, as is a request for proposals for a water storage tank.
Prompted by an inquiry by Mayor Dave Aker, Director of Planning and Engineering Gerard Antle said line painting on city roads will start soon.
“We have a schedule within our contract,” Antle said. “Once we have that established and confirmed we’ll share that with council.”
