The City of Yorkton is going ahead with its 2023 Water Main Replacement Program.
This year’s program is focused around Circlebrook Drive, with a price tag of over 2.6-million dollars.
Mayor Mitch Hippsley says it’s an area that badly needs to be addressed.
“Back in 2016 when I was elected as (City) Councilor, I was talking to one of our road crews who said ‘Look out, we have some serious problems happening down on Circlebrook’,” noted Hippsley. “And absolutely they were correct – here we are 7 years later and we’re still trying to figure it out and correct that. The sooner we address it, the cheaper it will be.”
Since its installation in 1966, the 590 meters of cast iron pipe on Circlebrook between Parkview Road and Glenbrooke Drive has experienced 15 breaks.
Hippsley notes that with the extensive replacements, the city is offering residents a program to replace their direct connections into the water mains.
“We’re offering a 4-thousand dollar upgrade that we will spread out over 4 years, interest-free, to help them put a new line into their home.” the Mayor said.
Weight restrictions for gravel roads
The City of Yorkton is considering implementing a spring thaw weight restriction for gravel roads around the city.
Mayor Hippsley says the consideration is done to help maintain the city’s infrastructure, especially now that vehicles are travelling on gravel roads more than in previous years.
“We’re addressing this now more than we have in the past, and that’s a big concern because roads break down and they cost lots of money to rebuild.” he added.
There was consideration on limiting the weight of commercial vehicles parking on residential streets, but that was defeated.