The city of Dryden is taking a closer look at Duke and Government Street highway corridors with an eye to improving their condition.

Reviewing the Connecting Link Strategy at the Sept. 12 Meeting of the Committee of the Whole, City Engineer Michael Louttit says the repairs of the surface of Duke Street as well as the water main problems at the corner of Duke and Colonization are a top priority.

Having already spent over $54,000 in 2007, 2010 and 2011 to fix the seven water main breaks in three years, the city is looking at a permanent solution to the problem.

“Right now when we have a break in that one section at the beginning of Duke St., it shuts down Elizabeth St. and a lot of sections on Duke St. What we would like to do is put a valve in place, which we typically have in every cross section of streets now, that allows us to isolate it a little better,” said Louttit. “If we have a break in that problem area, it won’t affect as many residents including Elizabeth St. and many businesses like Masala Restaurant and the car wash. We’re also considering whether or not it would be possible for us to replace a section of pipe that is typically in the area we are having problems.”

Louttit says the city will be looking to undertake these upgrades regardless of the Connecting Link funding.

Other areas of high concern for the city include the main portion of Duke Street and the over $10,000 to fix the street that is constantly deteriorating.

The city has also identified the mid-corridor area of Highway 17 and note they have already put $44,000 in repairs to this section over the past two years.

Louttit reports that it will cost approximately $3.7 million to do the entire stretch of Duke Street, including the water main repairs beneath the surface, and $2.02 million if done in conjunction with an MTO contract for the Highway 17 area.

By Ally Dunham