Council halts infrastructure construction project in south end

A construction project in a south end cul-de-sac has been stopped by city council April 14, after residents complained of the effects of blasting on their nearby homes.

The intent of the project, which began in September 2009, was to install two 40-foot diameter containment tanks, 30-feet deep into the ground. The tanks were to prevent the flow of sand and debris into Nepahwin Lake, Ward 10 Coun. Francis Caldarelli said.

The whole project, which was originally ordered by federal government environment officials, involved the construction of 10 tanks at six sites around the lake. Two of the tanks were to be located in the Lady Ashley Court area off of Loach’s Road.

“Both tanks were to be built in three and a half months,” Caldarelli said. “It took six months to build the first. A lot of rock had to be blasted by the contractors.”

Because the space in the cul-de-sac was tight, Caldarelli began to receive complaints. “Since October, the complaints from residents have been steady.” She estimated she had logged 250 e-mails from about 15 nearby homeowners in the area.

“People were saying their houses were shaking and they were concerned about the damage and the trees that had to be removed,” the councillor said. “The area used to be very beautiful with semi-detached homes located there. They really kept up the appearance of their properties and even a city-owned lot beside them.” But once construction started, “it was becoming a big mess.”

Ashley Court residents Rea Martin and James Wilson were only some of the residents affected, Caldarelli said. “One house had to have its foundation supported when earth fell away from it as a result of blasting next to the house,” she said.

Once the first tank was finally built in March, residents said they had no patience for the second tank to be installed. It would have been the last of the 10 tanks to be sited around the lake.

“My impression is the first tank was the easiest to install. Nothing was going well with this project and people were telling me they could not take any more of this construction in their neighbourhood,” Caldarelli said.

She held two in-camera sessions before and after the April 14 council meeting to discuss the problems. “I was able to get unanimous support from the council to end this project. We said ‘no-go’ to the second tank at the Lady Ashley Court site. The disruption was not worth it. We needed in-camera sessions because there were legal issues.”

The work stoppage means that there is still one tank out of the 10 that will not be built. “We did install nine of the 10 tanks. I hope that is acceptable to federal Fisheries and Oceans officials.”

Caldarelli said she has informed residents of the work stoppage through a letter. There will be a community meeting organized shortly with residents as a follow-up to the letter.