Centennial Drive North Upgrade Progress Continues as Local Businesses Express Concerns Over Lack of Communication Regarding Road Closures

Construction on the City of Martensville’s Centennial Drive North Upgrade Project continues to move forward, with crews making steady progress despite weather-related delays.
The City of Martensville thanked residents, businesses and motorists for their patience as road closures and detours remain in place during the project. Crews are currently focused on excavation work and installing the granular road base, helping prepare the roadway for the next phases of construction.
The City is also reminding the public that businesses along Centennial Drive remain open and accessible. Motorists are encouraged to follow posted detour signs and use the temporary access roadway to continue supporting local businesses throughout construction.
Business access and communication surrounding the project were also the focus of discussion during the July 7th City Council meeting. Local business owners Trent Ens and Anthony Nienhuis appeared before Council to express concerns about the closure of Centennial Drive North between 3rd Street North and Baycroft Drive. The pair said the road closure has negatively affected local businesses and voiced disappointment with the communication and advance notice provided before construction began.
According to the City’s latest construction update released July 16th, excavation work continues on the west side of Centennial Drive, with crews removing excess material while installing granular road subbase and weeping tile. Additional gravel placed on the temporary access roadway last week has improved driving conditions, and regular inspections of nearby laneways will continue throughout the project.
The City also continues to work with the RCMP to monitor traffic and support enforcement efforts along the designated detour route.
Although the project remains slightly behind schedule because of earlier rainfall and poor site conditions, contractors expect to recover some of the lost time by completing granular installation while excavation continues. Work is expected to shift to the east side of the roadway as construction progresses.
An earlier update on July 9 noted that wet weather slowed excavation efforts and prompted crews to focus on improving site conditions by removing water and stabilizing the work area. Additional gravel was added to the temporary access road to address potholes, while access to a garage south of Smokehaus was widened to improve vehicle access. In response to public concerns about increased traffic volumes, the City also installed a temporary three-way stop at the intersection of 1st Avenue North and 6th Street North.
Phase 1 of the Centennial Drive North Upgrade Project began in late May and is expected to continue until approximately September 1, weather permitting. The project includes replacing aging roadway infrastructure, upgrading storm drainage systems, widening the roadway to five lanes with a centre turning lane, improving sidewalks and pedestrian connections, and supporting future commercial development along the corridor.
To help keep the project on schedule, crews will continue working on alternating Saturdays throughout construction, with no work planned on Sundays. The City says it will continue providing regular updates as the project advances.