By TERRY PUGH
A set of traffic lights is slated to be installed this month at the intersection of 1st Avenue North and Central Street West in Warman.
According to the Warman Planning and Development department, the traffic signals are expected to be operational by June.
The busy intersection currently has a four-way stop, and has been the site of several minor collisions over the past few years.
In a report to the Warman City Council’s committee of the whole meeting on Monday, April 21, Warman Planning and Development Manager Brad Toth said there will also be updates done on all traffic signals in the city this spring to “add in preemption for emergency vehicles.”
In addition, a left-turn signal for eastbound traffic will be added to the signals at the intersection of Central Street and Centennial Boulevard. Currently, eastbound traffic on Central Street is often backed up at peak times waiting for an opportunity to turn north.
APARTMENT OCCUPANCY
Council also heard at the April 21 committee of the whole meeting that the city is going to start granting occupancy to certain apartment units in the Traditions development in early May. The entire project is expected to be wrapped up this summer, at which time the developer plans to start the second phase south of the existing building.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
The number of building permits issued by the city is increasing as the weather warms up.
A report to the April 21 city council meeting showed the city has issued a total of 97 permits between January 1 and April 16, 2025. This total includes:
* 10 commercial building permits collectively valued at $5.17 million;
* 38 single family dwellings and two multi-family dwellings (26 units) worth a combined total of $11.22 million;
* 47 additions, decks, garages and basement developments collectively worth $1.2 million.
Toth noted in his report to council that it’s been a “very busy” spring so far, and construction activity doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
“Residential houses continue to lead the way,” he said in his report. “However, some commercial projects in the works will help push overall values up higher. We anticipate a significant increase in overall building value this year as opposed to last, mainly driven by residential.”