What is the Kelland Drive Reconstruction & Extension Project:
For many years residents have raised concerns over the state of disrepair of Kelland Drive. Restrictions of 8 Ton or less vehicles only raised concerns for School Busses to be on that particular road. During periods of inclement weather public health & safety were of particular concern to residents.
The Solution:
In July 2019 the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay announced a major development in the ongoing issues and concerns related to Kelland Drive. The 12th Council having heard the concerns of many residents on the current state of disrepair of Kelland Drive announced the Kelland Drive Reconstruction & Extension Project.
Residents will recall that in 2017, a 1 kilometer stretch of Kelland Drive which was deemed to be the section in the worst condition, was rebuilt and repaved.
The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay’s 2019 Municipal Budget allocated funds to cover the Town’s 1/3 portion of the estimated $4.0 Million project which would see complete rebuild and repaving and extension of Kelland Drive from Hamilton River Road Intersection to Corte Real (with the exception of the 1 km section completed in 2017). Unfortunately, due to timing and delays from the approval of the provincial government, the construction season would not permit ample time for construction in Summer/Fall 2019.
Carried over from 2019, 2020 will see more than $6 million spent on roads. Some $4.2 million will be spent on rebuilding, resurfacing, and extending Kelland Drive to Corte Real Road.
A total of $2 million will be spent upgrading, and paving the Kelland Drive section from Hamilton River Road to Tooktashina Drive. A further $2 Million will allow extension of Kelland Drive from Hefler West Intersection to Corte Real Road. $2 Million has been allocated to re-pave various streets in town and also includes rebuilding and paving the current un-paved section of Corte Real Road. This will connect Corte Real Road with Kelland Drive.
The Kelland Drive Reconstruction & Extension Project, once complete, will bring Kelland Drive up to a Provincial Standard and will be a much needed Arterial Road for all residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. At the same time providing a secondary Evacuation Route for residents of the Valley portion of Town.
In early February 2020, residents of Lyall Street were presented with correspondence advising of the upcoming work related to the project. Included with the correspondence was the below map (figure 1a.) indicating the proposed routing of Kelland Drive Extension:
figure1a.
Residents of Lyall Street expressed concern and presented a delegation to Council at the 53rd Meeting of Council on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. Audio from that meeting can be found at the below link:
http://hvgbrazor01/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20200225/-1/12049
At the February 25th meeting of Council, Mayor Andersen committed to the delegation that the 12th Council would hold a Public Consultation on the Kelland Drive Reconstruction & Extension Project. A date was set for March 10th, 2020 at 6:00 PM at Town Hall. A Public Service Announcement advertising the Public Consult was released on February 27th, 2020, a copy of the release can be found at the below link:
On March 10th, 2020, members of the 12th Council along with the Town’s Municipal Engineer met with 25 members of the general public (majority from the Lyall Street, McLean Crescent area). Residents expressed concern over the 3 M Buffer proposed by the Town (see figure 1a.). Residents in attendance indicated a preference for a minimum of 30 Metre Buffer (see figure 1b.)
There were also recommendations for a 60 Metre Buffer (see figure 1c.)
figure 1b.
figure 1c.
During the March 10th Consultation, residents also suggested that the unpaved section of Corte Real also be paved in order to connect with the new Kelland Drive section of road.
Audio for the Kelland Drive March 10th, 2020, Consultation (Part 1 & 2) can be found below:
Part 1 of 2
Part 2 of 2
COVID-19 – A Global Pandemic:
March 13th signified a major delay with the Kelland Drive Reconstruction & Extension Project, COVID-19, and its effect on residents and businesses throughout the province created a significant delay.
It was not until May 20, 2020, that the Town’s Municipal Engineer received information on all options discussed prior to March 10, 2020. On May 21, 2020, Council reviewed options, and 4 out of 5 Councillors present opted to proceed with what has been referred to as “Option 2” which is the 14 Meter Buffer option, the fifth Councillor present was undecided. It was also agreed upon by Council that the unpaved section of Corte Real is to be rebuilt and paved to meet up with the Kelland Drive section.
An email was sent to residents that provided email addresses during March 10th, 2020, Consult. The email dated May 26, 2020 (see figure 1d.) also included the schematic for the 14 Metre buffer option (see figure 1e.) as well as a map detailing the rebuild and paving of unpaved section of Corte Real Road (see figure 1f.).
figure 1d.
figure 1e.
figure 1f.
Next Steps:
The Town will now be issuing Tender Documents in the coming days. Upon review of Tenders received, a recommendation will be made to the 12th Council on the awarding of the contact and Council will vote in a meeting of Council. Regular Meetings of Council are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. If a Special Meeting is required, a minimum of 24 hours notice is provided to the public.
All Council meetings are normally open to the public, however until further notice, meetings, unfortunately, are not open to the public gallery due to Physical Distancing concerns related to COVID-19 Regulations. As with all regular meetings of Council, the meeting will be available through Live Stream through the Town’s YouTube Channel.
The ultimate goal is to see construction start Summer of 2020 with completion work by the Fall of 2020.