Voght Street Upgrades

The City would like to remind residents that this is an active worksite, under the control of the contractor. While the City may convey the concerns of citizens to the contractor, the City does not dictate the specifics of how the contractor performs the work.

Please be patient. Please do not use the sidewalks or enter into the work area at any time except by motor vehicle.  And please take into consideration the safety of the worksite and follow the instructions of flaggers.

AGING INFRASTRUCTURE & ROAD RECONSTRUCTION IN THE CITY OF MERRITT

The City of Merritt was incorporated in 1911. Many of the roadways and underground infrastructure are beyond their anticipated lifespan and are well overdue for renewal. This is evidenced by numerous pothole repairs and relatively frequent watermain leaks throughout the city.

With a limited industrial tax base, the City of Merritt does not have the resources to maintain our roadways to levels comparable to larger cities. The City has traditionally relied on funding grants from the Provincial and Federal governments to augment its Capital Improvement budget.

The progress in the redevelopment of city streets is a direct reflection of the available budget and resources.

VOGHT STREET REPAIR & REDEVELOPMENT

Voght Street, a vital arterial route, was identified as one of the key roads designated for full reconstruction, including new water, sewer, active transportation paths, sidewalks, storm sewer, storm pond, and pavement.  In 2020, the City received provincial funding to complete road works from Nicola Highway to the Police Station.  In 2023, the City received additional provincial funding to complete roadworks from about the Police Station to the Hospital, with a planned construction schedule of Fall 2023 to Fall 2024. The City is continuing to seek funding opportunities to complete the entire roadworks from about the Hospital to River Ranch Road.

Other recent roadworks on Voght Street included a watermain break in November 2022, which meant that road users had to drive over a damaged road for months before asphalt companies would again be open for operations in Spring 2023.

The current planned Phase 2 Voght Street roadworks are on time and on budget.

AFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY

Planned reconstruction, combined with unplanned watermain breaks, has seen Voght Street under some level of roadworks for years. Roadworks at anytime are invariably disruptive, affecting vehicle traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, residents, visitors, and area businesses.

The City has received multiple and continued complaints from citizens and businesses about the negative impacts that Voght Street has had and is having on the community.  It impacts business prosperity. It impacts visitor attraction efforts.  It impacts effective transportation, including significant detours for pedestrian and cycling traffic. It impacts area residents by consequent traffic diversions.

While the project is on time and on budget, the length of the project (compounded with watermain failures) has led to numerous fallacious and damaging social media comments, questioning the competency of the work crews or project management decisions.

As challenging as roadworks can be, each and every step of the project(s) has been crucial ….  from watermain repairs in the middle of the night in freezing temperatures to the complete reconstruction of an aging roadway. The amount of work to be done is significant. It is not as simple as resurfacing a roadway.  And timelines, such as asphalt resurfacing, are affected by seasonal services such as asphalt supply and laydown that are only available during warmer weather and based on the availability of non-resident contractors. (Read more about typical road construction below).

While the City of Merritt would like to minimize disruption to its citizens, it also recognizes that complete road reconstruction, with new underground infrastructure, is a time-consuming necessity.  It also recognizes that we are bound by budget limitations, competing supplies, and the schedules of available contractors. The reality is that the City does not have access to unlimited, or even local, resources, and it does not have the funds to pay for premium fast-track service levels.

The reality is that the work being done is the most efficient use of resources within our means. As such, the City cannot make changes to its planned Voght Street reconstruction project(s).

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Be patient. Everyone is frustrated with the inconvenience of traffic delays. To help reduce traffic congestion, consider taking alternative routes, which while longer in distance might not be longer in time.
• Be mindful of residents and pedestrians on alternative routes. Slow down and keep safety in mind.
• Do not use this active construction site unless in a road-authorized motor vehicle. Pedestrian, bicycle, or even scooter safety is not possible on this section of road. While we understand that public pedestrian access is a major inconvenience, there is simply no safe alternative. At no time, should a cyclist or pedestrian venture into the work area or walk around barricades, especially while heavy machinery is in action.
• Follow the directions of flaggers. For public safety as well as work crew safety, do not ignore barricades, signage or the instructions of flaggers.
• Understand that the worksite is the responsibility of the contractor. It is not controlled by the City.
• Accept that work crews are performing to industry standard. The project is on time and on budget.  Finally, understand that there will be no changes to the current construction schedule, which ends Fall 2024.