With summer well underway, Portage la Prairie city officials are reminding residents to stay alert as roadwork and public safety efforts increase across the city.
Councillor Colin Doyle, Chair of Public Safety for the City of Portage la Prairie, stressed the importance of driver awareness during the city's busiest construction season.
"It's no surprise to anyone that summertime is construction season," Doyle said. "We just awarded our pavement contract at our Council meeting, so you're going to see some road closures to improve infrastructure."
Several projects are already underway, particularly along Saskatchewan Avenue, where both new builds and city beautification efforts are creating temporary lane closures and added blind spots.
"City crews are out planting flowers, watering, fixing infrastructure and it all means more unexpected activity on the roads," Doyle said. "I just want everyone to slow down and pay attention to what they're doing when they're behind the wheel."
Beyond construction, Doyle highlighted the rise in pedestrian and cyclist traffic during the warmer months. He pointed to the city's new bike lanes as a major improvement in safety for cyclists.
"I've seen the bike lanes being used quite often," Doyle noted. "We've designed Saskatchewan Avenue with a pedestrian corridor, a bike corridor, and vehicle traffic lanes, there's something for everybody. Take full advantage of it."
He also stressed the need for drivers to be cautious in construction zones, even when speed limits remain unchanged.
"These workers are out there in bright vests doing their job," Doyle said. "They deserve to get home at the end of the day, just like the rest of us."
In addition to road safety, Doyle stressed Mayor Sharilyn Knox’s advocacy for the '9:00 P.M. Routine' a community-wide initiative to reduce theft and crime in our community.
"Every night at 9:00 P.M., check your doors, make sure your garage is locked, your bikes are secured," Doyle advised. "Take away the temptation for things to be stolen, and chances are you'll be able to hold on to them."
As construction continues and more residents head outdoors, the message from city leadership is clear: stay alert, stay safe, and help keep Portage la Prairie a secure place to live and visit this summer.
