Flying J site open, provides 45 jobs

By Collin Gallant on September 29, 2018.

Medicine Hat News

Major sewer work along Saamis has concluded for the season, in time for the opening of a new truckstop.

The Flying J truckstop opened for business Sept. 22, about five months after work began on the 12-acre site, which now features a company restaurant, parking for 52 rigs, four showers, eight gasoline pumps and six diesel filling lanes.

Company officials told the News they expect the location to provide 45 jobs.

Construction took place at the same time as major utility work closed to public motorists the western stretch of Saamis Drive that led to the site.

This summer saw the initial phase of a two-year project to build the Northwest Storm sewer trunkline, and install a sanitary sewage bypass linking Brier Park to lines in Riverside. It will improve drainage in all areas west of Box Springs Road, including Redcliff, which contracts the city to handle some runoff volume, as well as erase the need for two planned lift stations for sewage.

Local firm BYZ Enterprises was awarded the $15.6-million contract in May and construction began in June.

Eventually a storm pond and some facilities will be built on bareland across Saamis Drive from the Access Condos.

First Street work

Westbound traffic on First Street SW will be detoured around paving that begins at Division Avenue starting Monday.

The work comes after the section up to Second Avenue SW was the site of major gas main replacements this summer. A utility department release on Friday stated new paving is needed to ensure safe winter driving conditions. The work should take three to five days to complete, weather depending.

More paving on Strachan Road

Work to repair portions of paving that went in on Strachan Road this summer could take place this weekend, weather permitting.

Crews resurfaced the stretch from South Ridge Drive to Stratton Way in August, but the eastbound lanes were found to be deficient.

To meet drainage requirements the contractor plans to replace the top layer of asphalt on those lanes on Saturday and Sunday. Two-way traffic will be maintained at one lane each throughout the construction zone.

Pond cleanup

Parks crews began clearing out brush from around the Northlands Storm pond this week, in Viterra Park, near Division Avenue in Crescent Heights.

The cleanup should be completed by mid-October and could result in pathways in the area begin blocked. Pedestrians are asked to remain a good distance from equipment.

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