Bill Fawcett understands why the street out front of his Mill Woods home of 30 years had to be torn up, but construction delays has left him feeling trapped in his own home.
Fawcett, 83, lives in the area of 88th Street and 44th Avenue
His street was ripped up earlier this summer to construct large storm and sanitary sewers needed to combat chronic flooding. But this summer’s wet weather means the project still isn’t complete.
Fawcett had knee replacement surgery in April and had to use a cane to get around. A boardwalk along the street is hard for he and his wife to navigate. He is also concerned about access for emergency vehicles.
“The thing that I’ve become alarmed about it is you couldn’t get down the street. You couldn’t get near the house,” he said. “What happens if we have a fire? What happens if we need an ambulance?”
Fawcett said he was told nearly a month ago that the work would only take a few more weeks. But equipment and workers are still out on the unpaved street.
“We don’t have a lane in the back. We can’t drive over the berm. So we kind have the feeling of being trapped.”
Access to 44th Avenue has been closed for weeks leaving residents feeling trapped. (CBC)
Work finished by end of October
Diane Wirtz, a planner with the city of Edmonton, says they’ve heard several complaints about the delay but are working with residents to find a solution.
“We understand that it’s been a difficult time for them. It’s been a very long summer for a lot of these folks,” she said.
“And we are taking the concerns of the community seriously and we are putting significant effort into addressing those concerns.”
Wirtz is asking residents to just hold on for a little while longer.
“Our plan is to finish the paving by the end of this month. We are laying the gravel on today and tomorrow, and that should help with relieving some of the access situations that the residents have.”
Fawcett said workers have been helpful with carrying groceries, and helping him navigate. But he and his wife have tried avoiding the situation by staying with friends for most of the summer.
Fawcett views his situation as a bit of a Catch-22. A few months of pain, in exchange for a flood-free street.
Despite the payoff, he’s still counting down to the day when he no longer calls a construction site home.
Residents have to cross several lawns in order to reach their cars, a challenge for seniors in the community.