MANITOUWADGE -- Spring has sprung, and with it, the usual crop of potholes and frost heaves, otherwise known as ‘Nature’s speedbumps’, have emerged.
Darren MacKenzie, the director of the Manitouwadge Public Works and Facilities, and his team are already at work.
There are a few projects underway, or will be starting in the weeks to come. The infilling of potholes has begun in various parts of town, starting with the worst streets, which include Ohsweken, Adjala and other major roadways in town. The secondary streets will be attended to as needed, and special projects may be planned for the particularly bad areas, such as the roads in the Animal section (Moose, Otter), Matachewan, and the upheaval on Ohsweken.
Weather is always a factor; the filler material, called cold patch, had to thaw out before it could be used. Now that it’s ready, the crews, both municipal and outside contractors, will be out as often as possible, repairing potholes and restoring intersections, roads, and driveways affected by utility work, water main break repairs and other maintenance. Some of this work has been ongoing since 2019, but the hope is that it gets completed this year. They ask that the public don’t drive their vehicles, especially ATVs and motorcycles, over the newly laid material for at least a day, so it has time to set correctly.
The Public Works department has other plans for town maintenance this spring. They will remove the sand and debris from the shoulders, and repair any issues necessary in order to preserve the roads and drainage ditches. The street name signage with the new township logo will soon be completed, and repairs will be done to the poles that need attention.
The pedestrian walkways within the town will be tended to, keeping them as clean, level and dry as possible. Any walkways with issues, such as water pooling or decay, will be inspected and repaired or modified accordingly.
There is also some housekeeping to be done on the fire hydrants, as well. Working with the new fire chief, Don Kruger, the team will undertake the testing of the 153 hydrants in town, checking the flow rates and ensuring that the hydrants are maintained and painted according to the provincial codes and regulations.
The public dock will be going in as soon as the ice on the lake has melted sufficiently. There are some repairs needed to the boat launch, but plans are already in place and will be tended to soon.
“Our crew does an excellent job,” MacKenzie says of his team. “I’m Just here to make sure they have the tools to succeed. The township has been excellent in providing the budget and tools they need.”
With all these plans in place, and the crews and equipment already out doing the work, it is shaping up to be a wonderful, safe summer in the ‘Wadge!