Photo shows top of concrete control structure (top left) with newly installed outflow pipes to conduct storm water from the old Pickard Quarry that the town bought from Mt. A. for $1 in November
After more than five years of planning, construction, setbacks and successes, Sackville’s $13.8 million Lorne Street flood control project has entered its third and final phase.
According to an update from the town, the venerable Sackville construction firm, Beale & Inch — founded in 1949 — has installed a control structure and pipes to handle storm water from the old Pickard Quarry as it flows down to Lorne Street and into the 40,000 cubic metre retention pond that was built south of St. James Street during Phase II of the project.
“The quarry portion of Phase III is proceeding well,” the town’s statement says. “If work continues at this pace, we expect it to be completed sooner than August.”
Crescent St. work
Photo shows Beale & Inch crew installing new culverts while reinstating water, sewer and gas lines on a closed portion of Crescent St. in the Sackville Industrial Park
The town’s update says construction crews are working on a portion of Crescent Street that has been closed to traffic for installation of two new culverts as well as reinstatement of water, sewer and gas lines.
The culverts will drain storm water from the St. James Street retention pond as well as one behind the community gardens on Charles Street that Beale & Inch will dig later this year.
The project will include the construction of access roads which double as walking trails similar to ones that were built during Phase II around the St. James Street pond.
“Work at Crescent Street should continue until the end of June, and then the Beale & Inch crew will move to the Sloan Drive crossing once Crescent Street reopens,” the town statement says.
Ditching & access road
Photo shows crew working on new ditching and a service road between Crescent St. and the dyke on the Tantramar River
Beale & Inch is also digging new ditching and working on a service road between Crescent Street and the new $2.4 million aboiteau that the province is planning to install in the dyke near Sackville’s main sewage lagoons.
The aboiteau will discharge storm water into the Tantramar River at low tide.
Climate change adaptation
Richard Elliot, chair of the town’s climate change advisory committee, referred to the Lorne Street project during his report to Tantramar Town Council on May 23rd.
“The flood control system with retention ponds and other developments in Sackville has been really successful and continues to be in preparing to control the increasing risks that we’re seeing coming from fresh water flooding,” Elliot said.
He also pointed to the installation of 32 solar panels last November on the roof of the activity centre in Bill Johnstone Park as another sign of progress in reducing electricity use and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Elliot outlined plans for an awareness session for members of town council on June 19th during which advisory committee speakers will discuss the global nature of the climate emergency and its effects in Tantramar.
To view Elliot’s PowerPoint presentation, click here.
To read a recent overview of the Lorne Street flood control project including a detailed breakdown of shared costs, click here.
