The Municipality of Leamington is moving forward with the first half of an estimated $8-million sewer project affecting Bevel Line towards Point Pelee National Park.
"Probably one of the most significant projects we've ever done in Leamington," is how the town's director of infrastructure, Rob Sharon, describes the project.
Sharon says Phase 2 of the project will actually begin before Phase 1 to accommodate businesses in the area.
Pelee Wings co-owner Michael Malone says extended construction would be a big problem for his business.
"For the month of May, it represents 35% of our business for the entire year," says Malone.
Sharon understands businesses in the area want construction done before their busy season — the main reason behind the restructuring of the project — but says that deadline may be too tight to meet.
"Civil constructions project like this, they're weather dependent," says Sharon. "So, if we have some significant winter weather we may not be able to get as far as we hope."
J&J Lepera Infrastructures Inc. has been awarded the nearly $5-million contract handling the first two phases. Construction is expected to begin in August and wrap in May 2017.
Sharon says the upgrade will be an economic boost for the area and more.
"The biggest impact is the environmental improvements. This is essentially bringing sanitary sewage collection to a built up area along Lake Erie and all of the associated things that go along with that: the reduction in phosphorus, the general clean up of the lake."
A mixture of government grants and local improvement charges will pay for the new sanitary sewer while the watermain upgrades are covered through the water reserve and water rate revenue.