Road crews on Salt Spring are pleading with drivers to observe construction area speed limits, as contractors for the Fulford-Ganges Road project have solidified the week of Sept. 8 to 12 for the final “major” paving for the island’s busiest road.
But with much new pavement already in place, vehicles are travelling very fast through the project area, according to Northridge Excavating Ltd. project manager Bob Mitchell, who pointed out the speed limit is still 30 kilometres per hour throughout the construction area.
“Hazards remain,” said Mitchell, “and our crews are starting to feel like their lives are on the line with the way vehicles are approaching our work zones at high speeds.”
Mitchell said while a few “minor design challenges” are slowing work planned on the north section of Fulford-Ganges Road between Drake Road and Seaview Avenue, the lift paving for the remainder will mark the last serious traffic interruption islanders will see for the project.
“Unfortunately I can’t give firm dates for completion here,” said Mitchell, “but I am aiming for mid-September.”
Remaining notable works include transition paving at either end of the construction area, at the Fulford-Ganges Road intersections with Cranberry Road and Seaview Avenue — which may be done in the Sept. 8 to 12 week, according to Mitchell, or shortly after — and the top lift paving on side roads.
“All side roads get two layers — or ‘lifts’ — of asphalt,” Mitchell said. “The first base lift will be done on Aug. 27 to 29.”
After that, he said, all the adjoining private driveways will be re-graded and tied into the top lift of Fulford-Ganges Road with a single layer of asphalt.