Construction crews prepare the base for Mirond Road in Martensville’s Lake Vista neighbourhood

A road currently under construction in Martensville’s Lake Vista neighbourhood will have street lighting installed along its length and also at its intersection with Main Street.

Martensville City Council is expected to adopt a motion at its next meeting on Tuesday, October 19 allocating funds for SaskPower to install two street lamps at the intersection. The street lamps, which were not budgeted in this year’s civic expenditures, are expected to cost between $17,000 and $18,000.

In a report to the Martensville City Council Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, October 12, the city’s infrastructure and planning manager explained the work is proposed now in order to take advantage of efficiencies.

“North Ridge Developments will be moving ahead with construction and paving of Mirond Road to meet Main Street in Lake Vista,” said Matt Gruza in his October 12 report to council. “North Ridge is currently working with SaskPower to get street lights installed. However, it was brought up with the City that streetlights could be installed at the intersection of Main Street and Mirond at the same time.”

The City of Martensville is responsible for Main Street, including the intersection with Mirond.

“The lighting plan which North Ridge is responsible for doesn’t include the intersection,” said Gruza.

“Since Main Street has been paved, there is an increase in traffic. As development continues in Lake Vista, it is expected that this intersection will be used as a secondary entrance to the neighbourhood.

“Illuminating the intersection will not only improve safety for motorists, it will also improve safety for pedestrians.”

Gruza noted that it’s likely most of the traffic to and from Lake Vista Elementary School and Ecole Holy Mary School will be along Mirond Road once it is completed.

“Sixteenth Avenue was a temporary access,” said Gruza. “Most of the school traffic will probably use Mirond because it will be a more convenient exit off Main Street.”

Martensville City Councillor Spencer Nikkel said it makes sense for the city to install lighting at the intersection now in coordination with the rest of Mirond Road.

“Motorists will be using the new road extensively,” said Nikkel. “It’s better to have the work done now.”

Martensville City Councillor Jamie Martens asked when street lighting could be expected along 10th Avenue, on Lake Vista’s western edge.

“We’ve been trying for the last four or five years to have SaskPower install lighting along that stretch of road,” said Gruza. “We definitely need more lighting there to make it safer. It’s budgeted and approved, but for some reason SaskPower hasn’t scheduled the work yet.”

He noted that street lighting along Mirond Road is scheduled to be installed this fall, so it is to the city’s advantage to coordinate the intersection lights with the rest of the street.

“North Ridge seems to have more pull,” he said.