One sign that something is happening in regards to progress on the long-awaited and much-anticipated heavy truck bypass around Estevan is the request to move the signs.
During the Aug. 25 regular meeting of Estevan city council, councillors approved changes to the sign corridor along Highway 39 east of the city.
In order to accommodate the truck route, a one-kilometre section of the sign corridor, which includes a number of promotional and commercial billboards along the highway, will have to be moved. The proposal noted that the section that is to be removed will be replaced further to the east, effectively extending the sign corridor a kilometre closer to Bienfait.
In order to move the corridor, there must be an agreement signed by the City of Estevan, the RM of Estevan No. 5 and Prairie Mines. The RM of Estevan had previously approved the move, and Prairie Mines told the outdoor advertising consultant they would like to see the sign corridor moved a kilometre east. Once each party agrees to the new location, the matter must go to the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure for approval.
The City of Estevan administers the current sign corridor and would continue to do so following the adjustments.
The information package to council noted that if the proper approvals are made, the corridor could be re-established next spring and the billboards could be moved prior to any construction on the bypass.
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Illegal parking around the city continues to be a focus of Estevan's bylaw enforcement officer, with the July report submitted to council showing another 81 parking tickets issued. There have been 548 tickets issued so far in 2014.
The report noted the 81 tickets came from a total of 381 vehicle tires that were chalked.
In July there was also a rise in the number of unkempt property inspections, with 23 properties undergoing an inspection, bringing the 2014 total thus far to 104.
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In May, council approved $200,000 be put toward a temporary sanitary sewer lift station and forcemain in the northwest part of the city to accommodate the development of 21 lots in Parcel F, now Royal Heights Phase 3.
The original proposal was based on estimated costs, and during the Aug. 25 meeting, council approved another $55,000 be devoted to the project in order to manage the cost needs for the mechanical and power supply.
The report to council noted permanent sanitary sewer service to that area of the city is contingent on the construction of the northwest sewer main project in the future.
"Once completed, this sanitary sewer trunk will be constructed along Sister Roddy Road down to the City's wastewater treatment facility and will service future development in the area."
As part of the construction, the sanitary sewer developed along Wellock Road will be connected to the trunk in order to move sewage to the treatment plant.
The temporary sanitary sewer line is expected to cost $253,372.90.
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Regens Disposal Ltd. submitted its cart report to the City for the month of July.
The trash and recycling collector picked up 36,350 kg of recycling, or 9.97 kg per cart, and 307,420 kg of trash, or 21.96 kg per cart over the course of the month.
