No curb appeal for Lorne Street residents
Reconstruction of street cost $1.9 million
Residents of a St. Catharines neighbourhood remain frustrated about a $1.9 million reconstruction of their street they say has resulted in steep walkways and driveways, a narrow street, slanted sidewalks and unsafe curbs.
“I’m paying for it and so is every resident in the city,” said Lorne Street resident Larry Lowes, adding the work on the Queenston area street is below par and wouldn’t be acceptable in other higher tax bracket areas of the city.
The neighbours want the city to return their road back to a state closer to what it was before the city tried to improve it with curbs and gutters.
But a staff report to council this coming Monday says there’s rational behind the work on the street and does not recommend any additional construction beyond the final restoration initiatives.
It will be up to city council to decide if the job is up to snuff and if additional money needs to be spent.
Residents say one of the biggest problems is the grade of the road, estimated to be six to eight inches lower than it was before. As a result, the driveways and walkways to their front doors are steep and in some cases, steps were installed.
Delores Kennedy, who’s lived in her home for 30 years, said the step that’s been installed in the middle of her walkway is too steep for her to climb without a railing.
“It’s higher than those steps,” she said pointing to the stairs to her front door, “and there’s nothing to hold onto.”
Lowes said the walkway from his house to the street used to be level but is now so angled that his father, who uses a walker due to a stroke, can’t manage it.
Resident Linda Krause, meanwhile, said the sidewalks are too sloped.
“I can’t walk it and one hip is higher than the one,” she said. “I have to walk on the road.”
Residents raised concerns and submitted a petition about the work at a council meeting in February.
In response, councillors asked staff to come back with a report about any deficiencies.
The report for Monday outlines resident concerns about grading, curbs and gutters, roadway width and construction deficiencies and provides rationale for the design and materials implemented.