City contractors working on Algonquin Blvd. are almost ready to wrap up Segment 6 and move forward on Segment 7 of the Connecting Link. Once crews have Mountjoy St. intersection reopened to traffic, work will progress up Algonquin Blvd. towards Cedar St. Motorists are being asked to divert down Brunette Rd. to Second Ave. back to Mountjoy St. S. to avoid construction. Mountjoy St. intersection could be open as early as Friday, but will most likely see traffic on Monday.
The new detour will move vehicles south of Algonquin Blvd., along one route that is designed to move traffic efficiently around a downtown construction area that is short on space. This is the second year of construction on a three-year plan that will replace crucial and aging infrastructure below the road surface.
“Segment 7 of the Connecting Link runs east of the Mountjoy intersection to just west of Cedar St.,” says Scott Tam Director of Growth and Infrastructure. “The work area is narrow and requires full-depth reconstruction of the roadway, replacement of underground services like water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer, and pole relocation. We’ve simplified the necessary detour to one route and optimized traffic control staging to keep vehicles moving.”
Contractors have added a temporary traffic light at Brunette Rd. and Second Ave. to allow more vehicles to make the left turn onto Brunette when heading east. The stop signs at Spruce St. S. and Second Ave. and at Balsam St. S. and Second Ave. will also be temporarily removed to prioritize traffic moving east and west.
“We will also review and adjust light timing at Cedar St. and Pine St. along Second Ave. if necessary,” adds Tam.
The City and contractors are working with Timmins Police Service to issue traffic advisories for the new detour route and temporary traffic controls. Once Mountjoy St. intersection is open, the temporary 4-way stop at Vimy Ave. and Theriault Blvd. will be removed. The 3-way stop at Vimy Ave. and Mountjoy St. N. will stay in place, now that a permanent stop for that intersection has been approved by City Council.
For more information on Connecting Link construction and to subscribe for Connecting Link updates, visit www.timmins.ca/connecting_link.
Amanda Dyer
Connecting Link construction is moving quickly on Riverside Dr. The contractor has been paving the inside lanes this week. Once complete, traffic will be diverted from the outside lanes to the inside lanes. We anticipate that this will happen early next week. Continue to follow signs and traffic controls.
Work on the outside lanes will include the installation of a new sidewalk from Shirley St. to Government Rd.
Crews have been in town this week pouring concrete for curbs and sidewalks in Segment 6 between Wilcox and Mountjoy. Once the concrete is poured, they do need to be covered and cure for 7 days before paving can begin. Once paving is complete, traffic controls are hooked up, line painting is finished, and Algonquin Blvd. from Preston through the Mountjoy intersection will be fully re-opened to traffic. We anticipate that this will happen in approximately 2 weeks, but will keep you updated.
Once construction moves to Segment 7 east of Mountjoy to Cedar St., vehicles will be diverted down one identified detour along Brunette Rd. to Second Ave. continuing to Mountjoy St. S. This a simplified detour route. Temporary traffic lights will be operational at Second and Brunette to maintain traffic flow. Motorists should also expect increased traffic along Sixth Ave. We will advise the public on the date the detour will go into effect.
Commercial motor vehicles are reminded that the detour along Shirley St. to Laforest Rd. remains in effect. Government Rd., Jaguar Dr., and Sandy Falls Rd. are not designated as truck routes.
This has been a busy construction season, but over the next couple of weeks, you’ll see a few projects wrap up and Connecting Link construction move ahead. Thank you for your continued patience.
Amanda Dyer
Work continues on Segment 6 of the Connecting Link between Wilcox St. and the Mountjoy St. intersection. All installation of in-ground pipes and infrastructure is completed. Crews will start to backfill the road, install curbs, concrete work, and traffic signals before paving and line painting can begin.
The contractor has also started on minor excavation and sign staging on Segment 7 east of the Mountjoy intersection to Cedar St. Once the Mountjoy intersection is fully reopened to traffic, crews will reopen Algonquin between Preston and Mountjoy and the detour along Brunette Rd. to Second Ave. will go into effect. The City will provide date and time.
We have been asked about the closed section between Waterloo and Preston. This area is part of the construction zone and is closed for motorist safety. The contractor uses this section as an access point for trucks and material delivery. We are anticipating that this will be open mid to late June.
Work is also being completed on the middle lanes of Segment 2 from Shirley St. to Government Rd. Traffic is currently reduced to one lane in both directions. Asphalt has now been removed. Crews will be removing existing concrete medians and doing some minor excavation before applying a layer of granule, new pavement, and installing new curbs and sidewalk.
The City continues to monitor traffic flow through the construction zone to prioritize vehicles moving east and west.
Commercial motor vehicles are reminded that the detour along Shirley St. to Laforest Rd. is now in effect. We have asked Timmins Police Service to take a more proactive approach in enforcing trucks bypassing the detour down Jaguar, Government or Sandy Falls. These roadways are not designated truck routes and heavy traffic can impact road conditions.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and patience as we expedite Connecting Link construction and complete work this season.
Amanda Dyer
Please be advised that Riverside Dr. between Shirley St. and Government Rd. has now been reduced to one lane in each direction, with traffic moved to the outside curb lanes while contractors begin work on Segment 2 of the Connecting Link.
In Segment 2 of the Connecting Link, work will be completed west of the Shirley St. intersection to Government Rd. In addition to stripping existing pavement, grading and compacting the base, and re-applying a fresh layer of asphalt, work will include installation of a cement sidewalk between Shirley St. and the Government Rd. intersection.
All access points and entries to roads and businesses along Riverside Dr. will be maintained throughout construction.
Motorists can expect delays and traffic congestion. Commercial vehicle trucks will still use the Shirley St. turn to connect with the standard truck detour along Laforest Rd. Some pavement milling in the outside curb lanes will be carried out to smooth entry points into adjacent roads and business entries.
Rehabilitation of the City’s Connecting Link is important work to improve major road infrastructure for Timmins. We appreciate your cooperation and patience as construction is completed.
Amanda Dyer
City contractors for Segment 2 of the Connecting Link along Riverside Dr. will be onsite placing traffic controls, staging, and surveying next week. Construction is anticipated to start after the May long weekend. Traffic will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction for the duration of work. All access points and entries to roads and businesses along Riverside Dr. will be maintained throughout construction.
In Segment 2 of the Connecting Link, work will be completed west of the Shirley St. intersection to Government Rd. In addition to stripping existing pavement, grading and compacting the base, and re-applying a fresh layer of asphalt, work will include installation of a cement sidewalk between Shirley St. and the Government Rd. intersection. This segment requires less infrastructure rehabilitation and excavation, so work is expected to move quickly.
The first stage of construction will concentrate on the middle three lanes, including the dedicated left turn lane, with traffic moving to the outside curb lanes. Motorists can expect some delays and traffic congestion, but no lengthy road closures. Commercial vehicle trucks will still use the Shirley St. turn to connect with the standard truck detour along Laforest Rd. Some pavement milling in the outside curb lanes will be carried out to smooth entry points into adjacent roads and business entries.
This is the second Connecting Link project this season and, with the addition of a dedicated pedestrian sidewalk, will make improvements to Timmins active transportation corridor. The City of Timmins appreciates the cooperation and patience of residents and motorists using detours and navigating lane restrictions as we carry out over $25 million in road repair work over the next few months.
For more information on Connecting Link construction and to subscribe for Connecting Link updates, visit www.timmins.ca/connecting_link.
Amanda Dyer
City Council has approved a second segment of Connecting Link construction this summer, which means the west end of Timmins will be getting a sidewalk along a busy stretch of Riverside Dr.
The unanimous approval to move forward with rehabilitation of Segment 2 of the Connecting Link, will see work completed west of the Shirley St. intersection to Government Rd. In addition to stripping existing pavement, grading and compacting the base, and re-applying a fresh layer of asphalt, work will include installation of a cement sidewalk between Shirley St. and the Government Rd. intersection.
This stretch of Riverside Dr. has been a topic of conversation, with increased foot traffic running between the Timmins Square retail mall and the busy Walmart corner. A sidewalk will improve safety and make accessing commercial properties along Riverside Dr. more accessible.
Motorists can expect lane reductions as construction work moves north and south, with possible congestion, but no lengthy road closures. Commercial vehicle trucks will still use the Shirley St. turn to connect with the standard truck detour along Laforest Rd.
This is the second stretch of the Connecting Link being completed this summer. Additional funding from the province’s Ministry of Transportation means that the work schedule has been moved up. Road closures for Segments 6 and 7 are already in place along Algonquin Blvd. west of Elm St. and east of Preston St.
For more information on Connecting Link construction, visit www.timmins.ca/connecting_link.
Amanda Dyer
Motorists can prepare to detour for Connecting Link construction starting Tuesday, April 25. The City’s contractor is in town this week staging traffic controls for two detours that will divert vehicles off Algonquin Blvd.
Algonquin Blvd. will be closed to all traffic east of Waterloo Rd. and west of Elm St. with a small section from Preston St. closed to local traffic only. Motorists should be prepared to stop at temporary traffic lights and/or stop signs along each detour route.
A temporary 4-way stop will be in place at the intersection of Theriault Blvd. and Vimy Ave. and a temporary 3-way stop will be added at the intersection of Vimy Ave. and Mountjoy St. N. Temporary traffic lights will be used along the southerly route on Cameron St. S. at Commercial Ave. and on Commercial Ave. at Mountjoy S. Cameron St. S. and Wilson Ave. will remain the regular 4-way stop.
Commercial motor vehicles will continue to use the standard truck detour from Shirley St. to Lafleur Dr. and onto Laforest Rd. before connecting with Hwy. 655. A temporary speed reduction of 50 km/h is in effect along Airport Rd. from Laforest Rd. through the area of the Kraft Creek Bridge.
This year’s Connecting Link construction will see work from segment 6 completed through the Mountjoy intersection, before work on segment 7 begins. The Mountjoy intersection will be re-opened to traffic before crews start on the next section extending to Cedar St. Once again, work includes full-depth reconstruction of the roadway, replacement of underground services like water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer, and pole relocation. This is the second year of the three-year plan to prioritize the downtown Connecting Link route.
Sign up for Connecting Link updates at Timmins.ca and stay up-to-date on the latest construction news.
Amanda Dyer
Work is proceeding along segment 6 of the Connecting Link, which runs from Mountjoy St. to Theriault Blvd.
This week, crews are completing sidewalks, some soft restoration, and feathering in paving on side streets. Next week, electrical is scheduled (traffic signals and street lights). Line painting is also planned.
We anticipate that the remaining work will take approximately 3 weeks to complete. Algonquin Blvd. will be fully opened from Mountjoy St. to Theriault Blvd. at that time.
Amanda Dyer
We have been asked if Algonquin Blvd. E. will be open this winter. Yes, Algonquin between Theriault and Mountjoy will be paved and it will be open before winter.
Current construction on the Connecting Link will end at Wilcox St. Road work east of Wilcox, including the Mountjoy intersection, will be added to the 2023 construction season.
The construction activity this week includes watermain, subdrain, grading, concrete curbs, sidewalks, and paving as weather permits.
This construction is part of a three-year Connecting Link project from Theriault to Brunette. It is a massive undertaking and we appreciate your continued patience and cooperation.
Amanda Dyer
Please be advised that contractors will start controlled blasting in the Connecting Link construction zone beginning Monday, Sept. 12. 2022. Blasting will be on-going until further notice and will occur Monday to Friday between 7am and 7pm.
Controlled blasting is being done to remove bedrock from pipe trenches located from Preston Ave. moving west towards Mountjoy St. This is to facilitate continued installation of underground infrastructure along Algonquin Blvd.
Noise and vibration in the area are to be expected. Contractors will work to control dust from blasting activities.
Controlled blasting is being done to remove bedrock from pipe trenches located from Preston Ave. moving west towards Mountjoy St. This is to facilitate continued installation of underground infrastructure along Algonquin Blvd.
Businesses and residents in the area have been notified by contractors.
We appreciate your continued patience as we work towards project completion.
Amanda Dyer
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