Interruptions at 13th and Southview next week for gas line upgrades

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on September 30, 2023.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

Gas line upgrades will cause major disruption at a busy intersection next week.

Crews will block off part of the intersection at 13th Avenue SE and Southview Drive on Monday for about one week.

Traffic will be allowed to proceed in both directions on 13th, but with three northbound lanes closed. Eastbound lanes on Southview Drive will be reduced.

Two crosswalks will be closed completely as crews erect a perimeter fence for heavy equipment and even a flare stack that will be required as lines are bled.

Motorists should expect major delays but are asked to be patient or alter their routes.

Some nearby residents and businesses have been notified that they will be left without gas service for periods of time.

Further north on 13th Avenue, irrigation and landscaping on boulevards of the major route has been under construction in September.

Highway work

Drivers can plan for delays on Medicine Hat highways this weekend.

The city announced via social media Friday it had received word of work being completed on three highways by construction company Volker Stevin Canada.

The following roads will be under construction:

– TCH in the Kin Coulee dip westbound

– TCH at 16 Street SW (both directions)

– Highway 3 by De Havilland Blvd SW (both directions)

Rural fire situation

Cypress County downgraded its fire ban to a fire restriction Friday, a change that allows burning barrels and recreational fires, but still restricts fireworks and new fire permits.

Hot, dry conditions left a fire ban in place for most of the summer, and most rural municipalities in southeast Alberta are maintaining fire restrictions.

The Cypress County notice reminds anyone using a fire pit or barbecue to use caution and be fire safe.

“Due to warm, dry and windy conditions along with cured vegetation, fire behaviour can be extreme,” it notes.