The prime contractor for the construction of the Selous Creek Watermain Extension, Kays Road Contracting Ltd., has made good progress this week, moving northward along the Great Northern Nelson-Salmo Trail (GNT) toward the Mountain Station parking lot. Overall, the weekly progress is on schedule; however, progress is slowed at times due to bedrock. A couple times this past week, a rock hammer fitted to a large excavator has been employed to break up the bedrock in order to install the watermain. Although effective, it slows daily production considerably.
Much of the construction along the GNT is immediately below South Sheppard Road, so this past week the contractor has erected additional construction signage along S. Sheppard , advising the public of works adjacent the road. Additional construction notices and detour signage has been placed along the road and at either end of the construction zone on the GNT. Fencing has also been erected on the trail at either end of the construction zone. The bypass trail, connecting the Great Northern Trail with the end of South Sheppard Road, appears to be working well, enabling trail users to bypass the construction and continue in either direction of the work zone.
The contractor during the upcoming work week plans to carry on northward, installing watermain along the old rail bed, and detour pedestrians and cyclists around the work zone via the bypass trail and South Sheppard Road. Trucks and equipment will be accessing the rail trail primarily via the Mountain Station parking lot. At the current pace of construction, the contractor anticipates approaching the Mountain Station parking lot by June 19. In the meantime, please use the bypass trail and S. Sheppard road to bypass the construction on the GNT. Please be mindful of the construction zones, use the detours as directed, and pay attention to traffic control personnel and all construction signage.
This photo was taken looking north along the rail bed and it shows the trenching and rock removal required in order to install watermain. The freshly hammered bedrock is visible in the trench immediately above the red hard hat.
This photo shows DDC Excavating’s largest excavator fitted with a rock hammer.
