Stanton road work to be delayed

September 5, 2013 · 0 Comments

Snow plow operators in Mulmur will have one more winter to experience their reported concerns about the intersection of Airport Road and Sideroad 5, if county council accepts a recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

According to a report by Director Scott Burns to the committee, to tender the necessary improvements to the intersection following the yet-to-be-known date of the relocation of the Stanton Hotel would be folly.

He said there is a tendering period of three weeks prior to the award of a contract, and then there are preconstruction meetings, setting detour routes, and mobilization and co-ordination spanning another week or two.

And then, he said, the construction would involve another four to six weeks.

“Hypothetically, if the tendering process began today (Wednesday, August 28th) and followed the above noted anticipated schedule, asphalt resurfacing would commence between October 23rd and November 13st.

“Paving during this season is manageable, but becomes increasingly risky later in the year due to unpredictable weather conditions. Considering the former Stanton Hotel has yet to be relocated, it is unlikely the aforementioned schedule would be representative of a 2013 construction timeline,” Mr. Burns said in his report to the committee.

He said if the project were pushed into a period of unpredictable weather, there would be a risk to the final quality of asphalt work and grass seeding.

On the other hand, postponing the work until 2014, after the hotel has been moved, “the anticipated intersection improvement schedule could commence early 2014. Tendering early in the 2014 year will ensure that the County receives optimal produce a quality end-product,” he said.

Originally, the county purchased the hotel site and an adjoining property after Mulmur Township expressed safety concerns at the intersection because of the reduced sight lines caused by the proximity of the hotel to Airport Road.

The county’s plan was to demolish the building, but the heritage value of the 1863 building was unknown at the time.

Now the county and Community Association to Save Stanton Hotel (CASSH) are working toward restoring it. CASSH is committed to continuing fundraising, and a Trillium grant is expected to be available for a chunk of the costs.

Meantime, it is reported that safety at the intersection has improved in any event by a lowering of the speed limit.

As well, the Olde Stanton Store on the opposite side of Airport Road has established a parking lot with the help of a neighbour to the north, which likely overcomes any safety concerns for the store’s customers.

By Wes Keller