Like many Lorne Avenue residents, it has not been easy for Andrea Collins to live beside an active construction site.
The reconstruction of Lorne, including work on underground infrastructure, has continued this summer after restarting in the spring. With it has come watermain breaks, road closures, difficulty getting out of driveways, and some damage to vehicles navigating the area.
“It’s more disruptive than what I anticipated. They did try to communicate it as best they could,” Collins said, “but there are times where it’s been concerning … I just chuck it up to this being a mess because that’s what has to happen to get this kind of work done.”
Some residents expressed further concern this week as an instance of overnight work took place to connect a new water main to an existing one on Calgain Road. Residents in the area had to have the water shut off for eight hours, and while those residents were informed of overnight work, some residents who did not have a water shutoff were not told, the town confirmed.
“The Town of Newmarket recognizes the importance of ensuring all residents in the area are notified of the overnight work that may cause noise disruption and would like to apologize to the residents in the area who did not receive the notice,” the municipality said.
Community liaison Rex Taylor often passes information between the town and residents, but he said he was not given the heads up about this one.
“Needless to say, there was a lot of equipment banging around,” he said. “It was unpleasant.”
Resident Mary Nagy said they were suddenly awoken by overnight work this week.
“We woke up when we heard the banging. Did it overly disturb us? No,” she said, adding that she “hopes (the construction is) worth it.”
The project is meant to address aging infrastructure, including new sewers and watermains. New bike lanes and sidewalks are also getting installed.
But the ongoing construction has become a sore point for some residents. Sharon LeBlanc, a senior with mobility limitations, said it has been difficult.
“It’s a disaster. I can barely get in and out of my driveway,” she said, adding that parking elsewhere is difficult with mobility challenges. “They’re doing what they have to do. If they could do it faster, that would be wonderful. I had no idea this was going to be as disruptive as this has been.”
The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of November. Rex Taylor said it is disruptive, but many residents have accepted it as necessary.
“There are always problems … I think it’s much better than it used to be,” he said. “In general, it’s not perfect, but (construction crews) generally are trying really hard to accommodate residents.”
Collins said the town and workers try to address issues as quickly as possible. Even though she has faced a watermain break outside of her home and a tire popped, she added there is a town program to claim such damages.
“I just hope it ends on time,” she said, adding the town did inform them it would be a disruptive process. “But I don’t think you really know what it is until they’re at it.”
Residents can follow the construction process at heynewmarket.ca/lorne.
