Citizens of Humboldt will now be pleased when travelling west of the city.
On December 4, the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure (MHI) completed paving on a section of Highway 5.
Earlier this year, a slough bordering the highway approximately seven kilometres west of the city overflowed onto the road.
A temporary fix by MHI in August saw the road raised by nearly 1.5 metres. The fix also narrowed the road, bringing the speed limit down to 70 kilometres per hour on that area.
A permanent repair on the 1,500 metre segment of the highway began in November. This repair saw the grade of the highway raised an additional 1.5 metres. They also widened the road.
"Highway 5's grade is actually now a total of nearly three metres higher than it was originally, said MHI.
The permanent repairs have restored the highway's shoulders, returned the speed limit to 100 kilometres an hour and reduced the risk of water overtopping the highway again in the spring, said MHI.
Although paving generally isn't a common practice during cold weather, MHI decided to do an initial paving of this section to provide a smoother, dust-free driving surface for motorists over the winter.
"Highway 5 is a transportation link for the Humboldt area," said the MHI. "The alternative was to leave it as a gravel surface."
Although paving during cold temperatures is risky, the MHI will monitor the newly paved section over the winter and keep it in safe driving condition.
"Motorists should be aware that there's a potential for rough spots to occur in the spring or for the pavement to fail over the winter," said MHI.
"Regardless, final paving is still expected to occur in 2011 to complete these permanent repairs."
Permanent highway lines should be painted on the pavement this week.
Guard rails will not be put in place on the sides of the road.
"Guard rails aren't warranted for this segment of Highway 5, but (we) will be installing delineation posts," said MHI.
"The Ministry still very much appreciates the patience of everyone who regularly uses Highway 5, but were unfortunately inconvenienced earlier this year when it was closed. This work has been a priority and (we have) worked as quickly as possible and in unconventional condition to get the work done," they concluded.
