Main Street Sidewalk Closed
JUNE 1 – 15 , 2023
The sidewalk on Main Street, from Quilchena Avenue along Voght Park to the Coldwater River, will be closed from June 1 to 15, 2023, as part of the West Merritt Active Transportation Path development.
Construction will include new paved walking paths, relocation of applicable storm services, new directional signs, landscaping and concrete flower planters.
The primary hours of work will be 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Some weekend work is possible but not anticipated.
At times, vehicle and pedestrian traffic may experience minor delays due to traffic control for the safety of the construction crews.
Voght Street Upgrade Plans
FALL 2023 +
The City aims to continue upgrading Voght Street from Blackwell Avenue to Belshaw Street/River Ranch Road, as an extension to the work recently completed from Lions Park to Blackwell. The long-term plan calls for full upgrades to the road, including active transportation pathways, water, sewer, storm drains, and roundabouts at two intersections: Grimmett Street and Walters Street.
While the City was able to gain some funding for this project, there is currently not enough funding to complete the entire project as planned. As such, the recommendation before council is to divide the project into three sub-projects, deferring work on the roundabouts, until sufficient grant funding is available to complete the entire project.
Part One would be an upgrade from Blackwell to about the Hospital entrance. Part Two would complete the remaining main alignment work to Belshaw. Part Three would be to add the roundabouts. Part One is subject to council approval. Part Two and Part Three are subject to funding.
Please note that the section from the Hospital entrance to Belshaw/River Ranch Road will still see some maintenance work before fall.
Traffic Control & Road Closure: Priest + Voght
MAY 15 – JUNE 30, 2023
The City of Merritt has engaged Civex Construction to conduct underground utility work and re-paving along Voght Street near Priest Avenue. There will be construction and traffic control around the Merritt Central Elementary School from approximately May 15 to June 30, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. The road south of Priest to the Middlesboro bridge will be closed with local traffic access only.
Residents will experience an increase of vehicles, equipment and noise in the area. Please be aware that some equipment used may cause vibrations. Secure any valuables on your walls to ensure they are not impacted.
Please also note that the parking lot and sani-dump will be closed during construction. The garbage bin at this site will also be removed.
The area along Voght (between the sani-dump and Priest Avenue) will also be closed to pedestrian traffic. A temporary pedestrian path along the east side of the fence along the school field will be provided, but may be closed without notice as deemed necessary by work crews.
We apologize for the inconvenience. If you have further questions about the work taking place, contact Public Works or Civex Construction.
Street Line Painting in Progress
MAY 23, 2023 [ongoing]
Some traffic accommodations required. No delays expected.
This work will include Crosswalks, Arrows, Stop Bars, Curbs, Hatching and Parallel parking stalls.
Street Sweeping
MAY 23, 2023 [ongoing]
The City will continue street sweeping throughout the summer as a regular maintenance activity. The major street sweeping spring clean-up of all roads occurred throughout April and May.
Residents can help by moving vehicles off the roadways. Please also avoid creating sand piles on the streets when sweeping personal property.
West Merritt Active Transportation Path
SPRING-SUMMER 2023
The WEST MERRITT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PATH is a provincially-funded project (2020-2021) to create more pathways for walking and biking, connecting various points within the city. Work on this project started early September 2022 and will continue Spring-Summer 2023. As this is an active construction site, the public is asked to refrain from using the path for their own safety and to refrain from damaging the site. Construction signage and barricades will continue to remain in place while the project is ongoing.
Greater Flood Impact Area Road Repair
FALL 2022 – SUMMER 2023
The City of Merritt has significant road repair and maintenance activities planned as a result of the November 2021 flood. The map below shows the current (Fall 2022 – Summer 2023) project scope of flood affected areas.
Most of this roadwork comprises road grading and pot-hole pavement work, as well as shoulder grading and gravel rebuilding. There are some complete road repairs planned and a small section requiring sidewalk and curb rebuild. All work scheduled is only to repair roads and pathways affected by the flood. Current work planned does not include improvements.
The 2021 flood damage assessment was initiated Spring 2022, after the snow melted. After extensive cataloging and assessment, the project scope was completed in June 2022 and submitted to Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) for funding approval. Tenders for the work went out mid-August and the project was awarded mid-September.
Work commenced in fall 2022 on the western portions of the project area (C101, C102, C103) and moves eastward (C104, C105) into Spring 2023.
Any residents noticing flood impacted areas, not identified in this project scope, were invited to submit a request for assessment prior to October 28, 2022. Additions to project scope will occur after planned repairs are complete.
Please do not approach the contractor while they are performing work.
They are not able to make changes to project scope.
SUMMARY OF FLOOD AFFECTED WORK
Current Project Scope
Street |
Length (m) |
| Pine Street | 587 |
| Collett Street/Hicks Street | 353 |
| Government Avenue | 328 |
| Williams Crescent | 251 |
| Spruce Avenue | 82 |
| Walnut Avenue | 382 |
| Fir Avenue | 270 |
| Hill Street | 276 |
| Main Street | 845 |
| Quilchena Avenue | 759 |
| Coldwater Avenue | 1931 |
| Canford Avenue | 651 |
| Voght Park Access | 43 |
| Wilson Street | 95 |
| Spring Street | 299 |
| Hamilton Avenue | 124 |
| Cleasby Street | 314 |
| Chapman Street | 319 |
| River Street | 201 |
| Greig Street | 121 |
| Voght Street | 499 |
| Priest Avenue | 1029 |
| Parcel Street | 134 |
| Garcia Street | 405 |
| Clarke Avenue | 222 |
| McMillian Street | 104 |
| Charters Street | 96 |
| Clapperton Avenue | 887 |
| Blair Street | 95 |
| May Street | 194 |
| Orme Street | 227 |
| Houston Street | 953 |
| Douglas Street | 124 |
| Alleyways | 2630 |
Future Work
- Middlesborough Bridge: Cost estimates in progress. Submission for provincial funding in progress. Target construction schedule start: 2024
- Dike Rebuilds: Work on repairing existing dikes in progress.
FLOOD-AFFECTED CANFORD: (Summer 2022) The City of Merritt has also finished a complete rebuild of flood ravaged Canford Avenue, east of Main Street, along Voght Park, in summer 2022. The pavement, underground utilities and sewer system needed to be completely reinstalled and realigned.