The road to Osler’s annual Canada Day celebration July 1 will be a lot smoother this year, thanks to some recent roadwork.
About one-third of the streets in the community are gravel; and in a dry year, that translates into clouds of dust drifting around the neighbourhood.
In mid-June, the town’s gravel streets were all graded and a coating of S.P.-90, an oil-based bonding agent, was applied to provide a dust-free surface. The resulting dark-coloured compacted gravel resembles asphalt pavement, but is not as durable and needs to be replaced every few years.
Several municipalities in the region, including Warman and the RM of Corman Park, also use S.P.-90 on some high-traffic gravel roads.
The roadwork began June 14 and finished up June 18. Affected streets included 1st Avenue North, 2nd Street, Osler Street, 3rd Street, 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, VCA Road, 4th Avenue and the 4th Avenue cul-de-sac.
According to Osler Mayor Abe Quiring, the timing of the roadwork was fortunate.
“Everything worked out great,” said Quiring. “It was completed just in time for our annual community celebration.
“When the project was discussed at council and the decision made to proceed, it was a little stressful because it involves a lot of streets in town and we really didn’t want to have them all dug up when we’re expecting a lot of traffic.”
Quiring said council felt the project either had to be completed prior to the end of June, or else postponed until after the July 1 Canada Day celebration.
The total price tag for the roadwork amounted to about $255,000. The cost to local ratepayers, however, was offset by a $177,000 grant from the provincial government’s Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP).
The project was originally scheduled to be done in 2020, but was postponed until this year.
Quiring said the S.P.-90 application is expected to last between three and five years. It is manufactured by Sands Dust Control Limited, a company based in Innisfail, Alberta. The manufacturer, along with ASL Paving, were contracted to prepare the roads and apply the S.P.-90 coating.
“We’re hoping for five years,” said Quiring, adding that it’s up to property owners along each of the streets that currently have a gravel surface to determine whether they want pavement.
“Each street would be paved under a ‘local improvement’ initiative,” said Quiring. “If a majority of the affected residents agree they want pavement, and are willing to pay the help pay the cost through their property taxes, then council can approve the project.”
To install pavement, the affected roads would need to be rebuilt to a higher standard than they are currently at, and curbs and gutters would also have to be installed, said Quiring.
“It’s not just a matter of laying down pavement,” he said. “It’s a much bigger project than that.”
Osler has been working over the past few years to upgrade much of its infrastructure. It recently installed underground storm sewer lines in priority areas to improve drainage; and also updated its underground waterlines.
“We’re in the final stages of a multiple-year project,” said Quiring. “It would have been nice to be able to rebuild the roads and install pavement at the same time as a lot of the underground pipes were installed, but the town’s finances weren’t in a position to be able to afford that massive expense at the time.”
Osler’s Canada Day celebration July 1 includes a parade, family activities, an outdoor concert in the evening and fireworks at dusk. All COVID-19 public health guidelines will be followed. Additional information on the event is available on the Town of Osler facebook page.