Indigenous Services Canada plans to determine the environmental impact of the proposed Saik’uz-Joseph Street emergency services extension road with public comments closing May 6.
The extended road will reduce emergency traffic flow and improve traffic movement. It’s intended to reduce emergency response time to the east side of the community and decrease the amount of emergency traffic through narrow streets with high pedestrian traffic.
The community is currently split into two neighbourhoods that straddle Kenney Dam Road. Only one main road through the community provides access to the administration building, daycare, public works yard and the proposed Fire Hall to be constructed on Joseph Street.
Emergency service access to the east side of the community is hampered by the need to drive through the west side which greatly increases emergency response time. The main road is narrow, with narrow shoulders, and there are speed humps along the whole length. It is already very busy with school and residential traffic.
The extension is for around 400 metres of paved road that connects Joseph Street and Kenney Dam Road according to information from a February consultant’s letter.
The work also includes the installation of a domestic water service and a sanitary sewer service for the Fire Hall. Street lighting is also required along the proposed road for vehicle and pedestrian safety.
Saik’uz has their own operations and maintenance team that manages the repairs and maintenance of community infrastructure and facilities. The existing staff will also be responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the Joseph Street Extension.
RELATED: Connected future for Saik’uz First Nation
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