Residents may soon look forward to a smoother drive on Garafraxa Street in Fergus following a recommendation to resurface the road.
On July 15, Centre Wellington councillors reviewed a recommendation from managing director of infrastructure Colin Baker, who asked that council authorize staff to proceed with the resurfacing of Garafraxa Street from the former railway crossing west of Maiden Lane to the Beatty Line.
Work would include pulverizing the road then resurfacing it to a rural cross section consisting of ditches and gravel shoulders.
The work is expected to cost $75,000, including engineering.
Baker reported “the pavement on Garafraxa Street between Maiden Lane and Beatty Line has been in extremely poor condition for several years.”
In 2012, the township removed the former railway crossing “bump” and while Baker stated that improved the vertical alignment and safety of the road, the remaining section continued to deteriorate and required ongoing maintenance to address potholes and stormwater flooding.
Baker anticipated the section of Garafraxa Street will eventually be urbanized with water mains, sanitary and storm sewers and sidewalks to service the future development of the Richardson farm lands.
That property has been identified as an area of future residential development within the township official plan.
When that development will take place is unknown, but Baker said remedial work on Garafraxa Street is needed immediately.
He also pointed to other developments in the works, such as the new Groves hospital, Beatty Hollow and Strathlea to the north – in addition to in-fill and intensification projects – that will require Garafraxa Street to serve as an important east-west collector link between David Street and the Beatty Line.
Baker believed the work can be funded through savings generated elsewhere within the public works budget. In April, the savings from tenders to pave various roads was estimated to be $214,335.
Councillor Fred Morris appreciated seeing the Garafraxa Street recommendation on the agenda.
“I’ve travelled that road many times and have seen our crews filling potholes over and over because of spring thaws and such,” said Morris.
However, he questioned how durable the pulverizing approach would be.
“What is the lifespan of this work?”
Baker agreed, “this is definitely not a long-term fix.” He said the municipality can expect a 15- to 20-year life from a typical paved road.
“But for what we are putting in here, we can expect five to 10 years,” said Baker.
Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen said this price does not include work for sewers.
“What are the long-term intentions for this road? Are there to be sewers running down the road, or will they be going down Beatty Line?”
Baker said the county official plan identifies lands to the north as being in the urban area and thus slated for potential residential development.
“Ultimately, down the road, with the development of that land, servicing would be needed,” said Baker. But there is no timeline when that land would be developed.
Council then authorized the work on Garafraxa Street.
