Estevan City Council has carried a motion to support paving the remaining stretch of Kensington Avenue north of the city.

The topic came up on the agenda at Monday evening's council meeting at Estevan City Hall after the Rural Municipality of Estevan asked the city to support the project as part of its application to Western Diversification.

Western Diversification is a federal body that provides funding for community initiatives across Western Canada.

Several city councillors voiced their support of the project. Coun. Rebecca Foord alluded to the condition of the unpaved stretch.

"I drove on that road today actually and almost lost my vehicle in the potholes," she said. "It's a very well used road so I think it's something that we should support."

Coun. Travis Frank said the project would have a positive impact on potential new businesses in that area, while Coun. Shelly Veroba added that it would improve safety for students who are walking to or from Estevan Comprehensive School, as several trucks currently use some of the residential streets close to the high school.

The idea is that more trucks and industrial vehicles would use the Kensington route once it is paved all the way to the Estevan Bypass.

"That is likely the main use, is that it would be industrial use," said City Manager Jeff Ward. "It could have multiple use moving forward, but as indicated in the letter tonight it would be built to spec for industrial truck usage for that area."

In terms of a timeframe, Ward said Western Diversification applications typically take between one and five months.

"I would think it would be, if approved, it would be a next year construction season, but until the RM applies for that and gets a response from WD we don't know a timeline," he said.

Ward added that city funds were previously used when the southern portion of the street was paved inside city limits, but that city funds would not likely be used for this project, as the unpaved stretch falls outside of city limits.