Tree removal forces detours
As the Town of Yarmouth prepares for some upcoming major underground infrastructure upgrades at a busy town intersection, it must take down some mature trees – a necessity because of work to come.
Motorists could expect traffic disruptions from April 9-11.
The infrastructure work taking place this year involves upgrades to the intersection of Main, Vancouver and Chestnut streets. The project involves replacing old water and sewer lines.
The town says a great deal of patchwork has been completed in this area over the years to keep the lines open and functioning, but patchwork is no longer an option.
“Before more serious issues arise, the decision was made to remove and replace the old pipes, and give the intersection a complete makeover in the process,” the town says.
As part of the early phase of work to prepare for excavation in the area, three town-owned mature trees were flagged to be removed.
Two of the trees were on the east side of Main Street directly in front of the Yarmouth Professional Centre. The third was on the south side of Chestnut Street at the intersection.
Removal began the morning of April 9 and was expected to be concluded by April 11, with work taking place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Here's things to know from the town.
Q: Why are the trees being taken down?
A: Exploratory work of the underground has determined that much of the root systems of these large trees lie within the excavation area beneath Main and Chestnut Streets. When these areas are excavated to remove the old infrastructure, the roots must be removed.
Removing the roots compromises the trees, making them unstable and a serious threat for falling over during storms or high winds. The very difficult decision has been made to remove them ahead of the project's start.
Q: Will there be a disruption in traffic during removal?
A: Yes. Lane closures will need to occur for safety as these are very tall trees. You can learn more about the project by visiting the town's Get Involved Yarmouth website.
Q: What about getting to the hospital on Vancouver Street?
A: While there will be detours and lane closures, access to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital and the Yarmouth Professional Centre will be maintained.
Q: What does the traveling public need to know?
• Traffic control will be in place, along with detour signage to help guide drivers.
• For traffic heading north on Main Street approaching the intersection: it will be local traffic only. Non-local traffic will be detoured onto Elm Street.
• For traffic heading south on Main
Street approaching the intersection: coming from the direction of Hibernia Street, it will be right-turn only onto Vancouver Street. Those who do not plan to travel to Vancouver Street, can detour onto Hibernia Street.
• Chestnut Street – from Summer Street to Brunswick Street – will be local traffic only. Customers of the Yarmouth Professional Centre can access the centre as local traffic.
• Vancouver Street eastbound traffic will be right turn only onto Water Street.
• Water Street heading south, from Cann Street to Vancouver Street, will be local traffic only.
Q: Will the town's transit system be impacted?
A: The transit bus will keep its regular stops during this time, including stops at Yarmouth Regional Hospital. However, the bus will need to travel through detours along with all other traffic, resulting in delays in the schedule. Scheduled pick-up and drop-off times may not be met. People are asked to plan accordingly and consider taking the bus (or alternate transportation) earlier if they have scheduled appointments.
Q: Wasn’t this infrastructure work supposed to happen last year?
A: The Vancouver Street/Main Street Underground Project had been previously budgeted at $2,331,945 in the town's 2023-24 capital budget. Last summer the construction start date was moved with work getting underway this spring instead.