Please be advised that water will be shut off in the area surrounding the Connecting Link construction zone along Algonquin Blvd. on the evenings of Sept. 12 AND Sept. 13, 2022 beginning at 9:00 p.m. and for a period of approximately 9 hours.
The shut off area is specific to the construction zone site and will impact businesses and homes along Algonquin Blvd. between Theriault Blvd. and Mountjoy St. including the Preston St. apartments, extending up Rea St. N. immediately behind the grocery store and Hollinger Plaza.
This is necessary to work on water infrastructure in the construction zone.
When the water flow returns, you may experience discoloured water. Before using the water, it is recommended to run your cold-water taps for a minimum of 10 minutes until the water runs clear. You may need to do this once water is turned on from each disruption.
Residents and businesses in the area have been notified by contractors.
Thank you for your continued patience as we work towards project completion.
Amanda Dyer
Connecting Link update for August 30, 2022. Crews are currently working on the intersection at Preston St. All new infrastructure at Preston St. and Algonquin Blvd. is complete. Crews will start the disinfection procedure on the new watermain system this week. Hydro One will be moving services from old utility poles to new poles within the work zone. Once this is complete, the old utility poles will be removed and crews will complete the subdrains and start preparing for curb and sidewalk installation from just east of Theriault Blvd. to Preston St.
Work in the Beer Store parking lot has been finished and paving is being scheduled.
As we head towards the Mountjoy intersection, we are expecting to hit bedrock and may have to blast. You can see some of the existing rock formation on Algonquin by the Senator Hotel. A pre-blast survey has been completed by the contractor with all area businesses and residents in the area.
Finally, with the downpour we got last night, crews had some minor pumping of the excavation site this morning, but it won’t have impact on work progress.
Amanda Dyer
Construction on segment 6 of the Connecting Link corridor continues with City contractors working on watermain and sewer infrastructure beneath Algonquin Blvd. Work is currently being completed between Rea St. and Preston St. moving east towards Mountjoy St.
The full segment will have complete reconstruction of the roadway, replacement of underground services, pole relocation, and curb installation.
Timmins Police Service has recently issued a couple of traffic advisories related to the southern detour along Commercial Ave. Motorists have been reminded that the “no left turn” signs on Wilson Ave. and Mountjoy St. S. should be adhered to and will be enforced and that the small section of Mattagami Blvd. S. at the bridge remains one-way. It is not part of any construction detour this summer. Motorists bypassing construction should continue to use the proper detour routes and be prepared for short delays.
Amanda Dyer
Construction on segment 6 of the Connecting Link corridor continues with City contractors moving forward on storm, sanitary, and watermain infrastructure beneath Algonquin Blvd. To date, watermain work is completed up to Rea St. S. moving east from Theriault Blvd.
The segment between Theriault Blvd. and Mountjoy St. will have complete reconstruction of the roadway, replacement of underground services, pole relocation, and curb installation.
Motorists bypassing construction are encouraged to use the proper detour routes. While there will be some congestion, each route was designed to redirect a higher volume of traffic off Algonquin Blvd. as efficiently as possible. Motorists should be prepared for short delays. City contractors will be adding additional detour signs along the southerly route, flashing beacons at all temporary stop signs, and signage indicating a 4-way stop or all-way stop is ahead. Line painting crews are also scheduled this week to add stop lines and crosswalk markings for temporary stops.
Amanda Dyer
After one day navigating new detours past Connecting Link construction, the City has some tips for residents to help keep traffic moving.
Two detour routes are now in place that navigate traffic north or south of the construction zone between Theriault Blvd. and Mountjoy St. The northerly route takes Theriault Blvd. to Vimy Ave. back to Mountjoy N. Two new temporary stop signs are in place and the City is adding additional flashing beacons ahead of each stop to alert motorists. The southerly route takes Cameron St. S to Commercial Ave. back to Mountjoy S. Three additional traffic lights have been added and synchronized to reduce stops and move vehicles.
Both detour routes were designed with engineering consultants to optimize traffic flow. Traffic was diverted to Commercial Ave. this year because it is an approved truck route and provides a more direct line through Mountjoy S. to Second Ave. Temporary no left turn signs have been added along the route to prevent traffic congestion, particularly when turning left from Wilson onto Mountjoy N. All temporary traffic signs and signals are enforceable under the Highway Traffic Act and should be adhered to.
One recommendation is for motorists to make use of both detours depending on travel direction. Drivers heading west towards Timmins Square are encouraged to use the northerly route along Vimy with an easy right turn off Algonquin Blvd. at Mountjoy. Drivers heading east back towards south end can use the southerly route along Cameron St. S. and Commercial Ave. with a right turn off Algonquin Blvd. at Theriault. By using both routes, traffic congestion will be further minimized.
Motorists are also reminded to help keep intersections clear. If traffic is delayed at an intersection, it is advisable to not enter the intersection until you can completely clear it on the other side.
Full details on Connecting Link construction including detour maps, adjusted Timmins Transit stops, and stages of construction can be found at Timmins.ca. Residents can also sign up for Connecting Link alerts to stay up-to-date on construction progress.
Amanda Dyer
Connecting Link construction is ready to move ahead. Algonquin Blvd. will be closed Monday afternoon east of Theriault Blvd. and west of Mountjoy St. Traffic will be diverted down two possible detour routes and motorists should be prepared to stop at new traffic lights and stop signs.
“It has taken some time to get permissions in order, but mobilization is well underway with the focus on bringing materials to site and getting the detour and bypass routes in order,” says Chief Administrative Officer Dave Landers.
A temporary 4-way stop has been added at the intersection of Theriault Blvd. and Vimy Ave. and a temporary 3-way stop has been added at the intersection of Vimy Ave. and Mountjoy St. N. Temporary traffic lights have been installed along the southerly route on Cameron St. S. at Wilson Ave. and Commercial Ave. and on Commercial Ave. at Mountjoy St. S. Detour maps can be viewed at Timmins.ca.
Commercial motor vehicles will now use the standard truck route from Shirley St. to Lafleur Dr. and onto Laforest Rd. before connecting with Hwy. 655. A temporary speed reduction of 50 km/h is now in effect along Airport Rd. from Laforest Rd. through the area of the Kraft Creek Bridge.
This is the second downtown segment along the Connecting Link and includes full-depth reconstruction of the roadway, replacement of underground services like water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer, and pole relocation. It is part of a three-year plan to prioritize the downtown Connecting Link route.
Starting Monday, residents should plan ahead and allow an extra 5 to 10 minutes for detour. Sign up for Connecting Link updates today at Timmins.ca and stay up-to-date on the latest construction news.
Amanda Dyer
Detour plans are now in place for the next phase of Connecting Link construction. This year, motorists will have two options to divert safely around the work area.
Segment 6 of construction will see improvements along Algonquin Blvd. West from Theriault Blvd. to Mountjoy St. This is the second downtown segment and once again includes full-depth reconstruction of the roadway, replacement of underground services like water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer, and pole relocation.
At the start of construction, access to the Mountjoy St. intersection will be maintained. Two detour routes will be available extending north and south from Algonquin Blvd. W. Vehicles and cyclists can bypass construction heading north along Theriault Blvd. to Vimy Ave. proceeding to Mountjoy St. N. The southern detour route runs from Cameron St. S. to Commercial Ave. proceeding to Mountjoy St. S.
“In this segment of the Connecting Link construction, we are not hampered by the Mattagami River,” says Project Coordinator Eryk Rice. “With two detour options, the result will be less traffic congestion.”
To help maintain traffic flow, a temporary 4-way stop will be added 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 installed along the southerly route on Cameron St. S. at Wilson Ave. and Commercial Ave. and on Commercial Ave. at Mountjoy S. Motorists should allow for some delay and be prepared to stop once signage is in place.
Commercial motor vehicles will be using the familiar truck detour along Shirley St. to Lafleur Dr. and onto Laforest Rd. before reaching Hwy. 655. Council has approved a temporary speed limit reduction along the truck detour on Airport Rd. The posted speed will be 50 km/h from Laforest Rd. through the area of the Kraft Creek Bridge.
We can also confirm that residents will have access to all businesses located in this section of Algonquin Blvd. W.,” adds Rice. “Most businesses have entry through a secondary road like Rea St. N. or Preston St. There are a handful of businesses that will be provided with temporary access from a neighboring property off of Rea St. N. This will be maintained by the contactor and signage will be in place directing traffic.”
Amanda Dyer
City Council has awarded a three-year contract for reconstruction of Algonquin Blvd. West to R.M. Belanger Ltd. The planned Connecting Link Project will prioritize three sections of Algonquin Blvd. West that pass through Downtown Timmins extending from Theriault Blvd. to Brunette Rd.
Projected costs for all three segments total $27,980,596.00 + HST. The City currently has an allocated budget for the 2022 portion of the project and has identified potential funding streams and a substantial Federal Gas Tax Reserve that is available to offset project costs and maintain this year’s current capital budget.
“By signing a three-year contract, the City is able to benefit from cost savings by confirming future work,” says Pat Seguin, Director of Growth and Infrastructure. “Within the budget are contingency funds, which will allow for variances. If the cost of asphalt or fuel rises, we have allowed for that within the project costs. Moving forward, we will budget accordingly to match tender values in the subsequent two years of the project.”
The next three phases of the Connecting Link Project will include full-depth reconstruction of the roadway, replacement of underground services like water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer, pole relocation, curb and sidewalk reconstruction, and new asphalt and light standards. The work is extensive and also includes removal of the ONR overpass bridge, which will mitigate flooding and level the roadway. A new snowmobile crossing will also be installed near Hollinger Park.
A plan for traffic management will be announced prior to construction launch.
Amanda Dyer
|