EDMONTON- Edmonton's transportation department is proposing a construction project that would see a portion of Saskatchewan Drive close for up to six weeks this spring.
The project would involve constructing a concrete pile retaining wall to reinforce the riverbank along the wooden walkway on Saskatchewan Drive.
"We've been monitoring the area for a few years now and as a result of the heavy rainfall and precipitation over the last few years, the ground movements have started to increase and we're getting some sagging of the roadway and the walkway in the area," explained Paul Lach, a senior geotechnical engineer with the City of Edmonton.
While the roadway isn't in any immediate danger, Lach says the work does need to be done.
"It's not a very high risk concern, but it is important, because of the increased movements we've seen lately, that we do do something to stabilize the slope in the area," Lach explained.
The affected area stretches from 101st Street to 90th Avenue. Initial construction on the retaining wall would see Saskatchewan Drive closed to traffic from the hair pin turn at Queen Elizabeth Park Dr. to 99th Street, for four to six weeks, according to Lach.
View Potential Saskatchewan Drive closure in a larger map
At least one business owner in the area is already concerned the possible closure will have a major impact on his business.
"Right now I am losing money on this location, big time," said Harmeet Kapur who has spent 30 years developing the New Asian Village location on Saskatchewan Drive.
Kapur says his business has already been negatively impacted by other construction in the area, and worries any further construction projects will mean further losses.
"If they start working on Saskatchewan Drive, I think it will be very hard for me to make up for the (lost) business," he explained. "We don't know if they're going to leave (traffic) open or what's going to happen, so it will definitely have a big impact on our business."
Lach says residential traffic will be allowed through during construction, but even so, Kapur is concerned the construction will be loud and disruptive to customers in what is meant to be a relaxing environment. But, he is hoping for the best.
"This is our flagship, this is the first restaurant that we started," Kapur said. "I hope I don't have to close it down."
The Transportation Department will be meeting with a council committee on Wednesday, to request a $1.7 million budget adjustment in order to complete the work. If approved, construction will start in early April, in order to avoid conflicts with the nearby Walterdale Bridge construction.
"We want to get this done as early as possible," Lach explained. "We've put some incentives into the tendered documentation so that the contractor will be required to meet certain deadlines, so the intent is that we won't have any overlap with Walterdale."
After the initial four to six week closure to Saskatchewan Drive, construction will continue with partial road closures possible.
Lach says the transportation department also hopes to replace the wooden walkway with a wider, concrete walkway he hopes will be more pedestrian friendly.
He expects the entire project would be complete by August.
With files from Shannon Greer.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2013.