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UPDATE: Heritage streetlight project plagued by delays

Prince George residents still waiting for street light installation that was supposed to be done this summer
04 First Avenue follies
After three months of waiting in the dark for new streetlights to be installed on their street in the Heritage subdivision, First Avenue residents are finding out their access to the road west of Tabor Boulevard will be cut off for the entire month of November while the city conducts waterworks repairs.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated. A previous version of this story contained incorrect information originally provided by BC Hydro to a resident of to the First Avenue area.

Cheryl Mikulasik has been kept in the dark too long.
She wants answers why it’s taken so long for the city to complete a project to replace streetlights in Heritage neighbourhood to improve lighting on a section of First Avenue from Tabor Boulevard to Foothills Boulevard.
The project was supposed to be finished by the end of October, but won’t be done until the end of November.
In an emailed response sent to Mikulasik on Friday from Greg Webster, a BC Hydro business account representative, Webster said the work done over the past three months by the Alberta contractor does not meet British Columbia standard code requirements and the project will require an additional four to six weeks to complete.
However, in an interview with the Citizen on Monday, BC Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer the reason for that is the project requires additional electrical infrastructure that was not part of the original plan. The work done was up to code, Gammer said.
“The work (still to be done) to connect power to the streetlights requires the replacement of one transformer and one service box, in order to add an additional underground duct for the new service connections to energize the lights,” Gammer said. “This was more than initially anticipated and has extended the project timeline. BC Hydro and the city are working closely on this project and work is being expedited by BC Hydro, in an effort to energize the new streetlights in the next four to six weeks.”
Residents who have been kept in the dark without streetlights for the past three months reacted with shock when Webster’s email was shared and Gammer explained how that incorrect information was released.
“He just misunderstood some advice given to him in a note from another employee,” Gammer said.
Residents of the neighbourhood have been frustrated by the dangerous conditions created by the lack of lights.
“It’s hazardous because it gets dark early now and people are walking in the dark,” said Mikulasik, who lives on Bauch Avenue, which connects to First Avenue. 
“It’s very dark and when I’m driving, if there’s no other traffic, I put my lights on high so I can see better.
“Everything seems to be going wrong with this whole project. On Friday I found out they’re closing the road at First and Tabor for a whole month for a water project that starts Monday morning.”
A sign posted on First Avenue confirmed motorists trying to access the Heritage subdivision along First Avenue will have to find an alternate route until Nov. 30 while crews dig up the street to conduct waterworks repairs.
Marg Wilson lives on First Avenue, and she’s appalled she and her neighbours are still waiting for the lights to be turned on.
“I didn’t think we’d be without lights this long and it’s a hazard,” said Wilson. 
“You have to drive at night with your brights on and you can’t see people on the street and that’s a concern. Especially with Halloween, I’m hoping parents will just avoid First Avenue because it won’t be safe. It’s gone on way too long, and what upsets me is, is this going to come back on the taxpayers?”
The streetlight project has created a stir ever since it began. In August, First Avenue residents had their lawns dug up to access utility lines and allow concrete work to replace curbs and install wheelchair-accessible corner sidewalks.
City spokesperson Mike Kellett assured that any delays related the project will not cost the city any additional funds. 
“For people in the neighbourhood it’s going to be a vast improvement of lighting and safety along that stretch and due to the complexity of the project, it’s been a long time,” said Kellett. “I appreciate people’s patience on this one.”