Chatham-Kent municipal officials are asking residents for their opinions on an upcoming construction project.
The municipality is holding a public information session this week about an infrastructure upgrade on Victoria Avenue.
The work will take place from Thames Street to McNaughton Avenue East and according to Chris Thibert, director of engineering and transportation, the primary goal of the project is to overhaul the sewer system and create a separate sanitary sewer and separate storm sewer. He added that they'll also be improving the street during construction and making it more accessible.
Thibert said the project comes with some unique challenges including the heritage associated with the street.
"The aesthetics and the history behind this street, we're taking it into strong consideration," he said. "We heard it loud and clear from the public that they're very passionate about the street, as they should be. We are too and we want to make sure we're doing this right."
During the public information meetings, the engineering department will present different design options to residents and get their feedback on the project. Thibert said it's also a perfect time to answer any questions that people may have about the work being done.
"What we're really looking for is what [the public] feels like the concerns will be in regard to construction, the staging of the project and typical questions that come up," he said "What's going to happen for access to my driveway? How long will I not have access? How's my garbage going to be addressed? How will I be able to get to my home during construction?"
The project still needs to secure capital funding before the municipality proceeds with it. Thibert estimates construction will start in 2021 or 2022. However, he said they wanted to be sure that the engineering team has everything in place for when the time comes.
"Really the whole purpose of proceeding with this detailed design well in advance of construction is to allow plenty of time for the public to really express what their interests are, what their concerns are, so we can capture it," Thibert explained. "We really want to make sure we take the time and the consideration of public through these public information meetings...so that we're ready to go when we do have that funding available."
The information session takes place on Thursday at the Sprucedale United Church in Chatham from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
For anyone who is unable to attend the meeting but would like to give input on the project, Thibert recommends calling the Civic Centre directly or emailing ckinfo@chatham-kent.ca.