Estevan Mayor Gary St. Onge has disclosed what he views as troubling news about Estevan's new truck route.
Speaking at the end of the August 7 City Council meeting, St. Onge told Council that the biggest stumbling block for the project, according to the Ministry of Highways, is the acquisition of land, as the affected landowners have apparently formed an association, and have slowed down the acquisition process.
Many of the landowners are seeking an amount that would be appropriate for commercial land, St. Onge said, even though the land is currently used for agricultural purposes.
A truck route would divert 90 to 95 per cent of the trucks currently passing through the city into the RM, he said. City of Estevan residents want to see the trucks in the RM, and St. Onge believes that the RM of Estevan Council supports the truck route. However, he expects some RM ratepayers might be ambivalent towards the bypass.
He would like to meet with the committee members to get their side of the city.
St. Onge met with the Ministry of Highways on August 3.
Other highlights from the meeting:
*The King Street and Alexandria Road intersection has been closed so that storm sewer repairs and road construction, including asphalt resurfacing, can proceed on Alexandria.
*Six building permits, with a total value of $112,000, were issued in July.
*Three readings were given to a water and waste water bylaw that will require a new cross-connection control testing and inspection report form to be filled out.
