More chip-seal paving to come

This summer the City of Iqaluit plans to continue paving city streets using a technique called chip-sealing.

Nearly three kilometres of road will be newly paved this summer, according to the city’s plans. That includes picking up where work ended last year on Apex Road and paving 750 metres further, to Apex Bridge.

The city also plans to pave Bypass Road, better known as “Washboard Hill,” producing a stretch more than two kilometres long between Apex Road and the Ring Road.

Work this year is expected to cost $1 million. The bulk of that — $782,700 — is paid by the Government of Nunavut, while the City of Iqaluit will pay the rest.

Chip-sealing involves laying down a thin layer of asphalt and water followed by a layer of gravel, which is then rolled flat. It costs about half as much as conventional paving.

Council approved plans to tender the contract for this work at an April 11 meeting.