Public meeting Tuesday on Lakefield street reconstruction

LAKEFIELD -- A public meeting is being held Tuesday on a project to reconstruct Charlotte Street in downtown Lakefield in the spring.

The public information centre takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Centennial Room, 8 Queen Street (Memorial Hall/Lakefield Library – use side door).

It’s an open house format where people can learn more about the plans and ask questions, according to a release from Selwyn Township.

Engineering firm D.M. Wills and Associates has completed the background work to prepare a tender which will be issued in early January for the project.

The project involves: - Replacing the water main. - Regrading and installing storm water management features to improve drainage. - Asphalt repaving of Charlotte Street from Reid to Burnham including curb and gutter.

Construction is slated to start as early in April as possible, the release states.

The work is expected to take four to five months, so the street could be usable for businesses by July, the release states.

To maintain on-street parking, manage storm water and maintain the maximum width within the road allowance, the existing sidewalk will not be replaced, the release states, and a curb will be installed between the road allowance and adjacent private properties.

The township and contractor will work with businesses and property owners during the construction to minimize disruption as much as possible.

Original plans to add improvements such as pedestrian street lights, plantings have been scaled back, the release states, because the width of the road is narrow and it was felt that parking and vehicle access was the most important feature to maintain in the reconstruction.

Adjacent business owners will have an opportunity to pave their parking areas at the cost quoted to the township, the release states, and the paving work can be completed at the same time as the road is reconstructed.