A major project to raise one of the main roads in Merritt is progressing well.

The new city manager Sean Smith says the $3-million project on Voght Street will be done later this year, by Oct. 31. That’s Phase One, and Phase Two will be happening next year between Blackwell Avenue and De Wolf Way.

“Definitely the biggest project for this year, and we’re in the process of doing some planning work for Voght Street phase two. And we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to line that to try and seek some federal infrastructure dollars to support implementing that phase two project. So it’s definitely the biggest for 2020.”

Smith says this phase of the project will see the Voght Street corner raised to prevent flooding, and underground utilities are being replaced from 1st Avenue to Blackwell Avenue, and also along 2nd Avenue.

“The Voght Street corner tends to be one of the first points of inundation of the Nicola River during flood, it’s one of the lower areas,” Smith says, pointing out the block flooded in both 2017 and 2018.

“We know that it’s stressful and it’s a sacrifice for a lot of the residents and businesses who are looking at detours and wait times. But it’s a critical project for our city, and we’re all going to be better off for it once it’s done.”