The downtown project might see more delays as an investigation goes forward after a petroleum product was unearthed.
Marg Coulson, CAO for the village said about two weeks ago a petroleum substance was found where work is going on to replace the water main underneath Highway 3.
“When they were ripping up the road they found it. It’s being investigated. It’s residue from a petroleum product. That is all we know right now. It’s not very surprising considering all the gas stations of the day,” she said.
The petroleum residue was found near Greg and Tuesday real estate office. The site used to be a gas station.
Coulson said when the crews looked closer they did not see any old gas tanks.
“There are a lot of rumours going on right now. They did smell some gas when they opened it all up, but you can’t smell it now,” she said.
At this point it’s unknown if the find will delay the project or by how long.
When work began, the hope was the project would be completed before the May long weekend, then it was hopeful that the project would be completed by early June.
Now it’s hoped the project will be done before the Canada Day long weekend.
“I understand it’s frustrating for them (business owners), but we have to push on with this project. It’s delayed because of weather, permits outside of our control, completely late start. Time has to go somewhere… they couldn’t make it up. There’s a delay whenever they find anything whether it’s a bone or petroleum.”
