A Special Council Meeting has been called for July 26, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss the following items:
Report:
• Additional payload integration hall at the Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base - D. Dayment
Motions of Council:
• Wedding at 2030 Kraftcreek Road re: Noise exemption
• 2022-8734-Agreement with CGV Builders Inc. re: Additional Payload Integration Hall at the Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base
For more information, contact the Clerks Department:
220 Algonquin Blvd. East
Timmins, Ontario
P4N 1B3
[email protected]
Ashish Puri
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
A lasting effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a driver shortage at Timmins Transit. In an effort to reduce driver fatigue and stress, City Council has approved a temporary frequency reduction effective Monday, June 13.
The revised schedule will be in place over the summer months from June through August and will reduce frequency times of some routes from service every 30 minutes to every forty-five minutes.
“Last summer, Management had to cancel summer vacation requests due to driver shortage,” says Director of Public Works and Environmental Services Ken Krcel. “Our drivers need time to rest and recharge. The immediate benefit is a reduction in lost time and employee turnover. This small change will prevent a greater loss of service that could happen if drivers end up burned out and calling in sick.”
Reducing the frequency of service will reduce the total number of driving hours each day, allowing for time off without having to cancel routes altogether. The timing is also ideal since past data shows a decline in ridership during the summer months.
“We need to give drivers their requested time off as per their collective agreement,” adds Krcel. “We are doing that with as little impact to transit riders as possible while providing adequate public transportation in the summer.”
For more information on Timmins Transit schedule and updated routes, including those impacted by Connecting Link construction, visit Timmins.ca / Our Services / Timmins Transit.
Amanda Dyer
Ontario has announced their annual Gas Tax funding and Timmins is on the list to receive $661,115. Investment through the Gas Tax program will be used by Timmins Transit for the purchase of a new bus.
“We receive Gas Tax funding annually,” says Director of Finance Natalie Moore. “The purpose of the program can be to upgrade infrastructure and that’s our current priority for Timmins Transit. New equipment will boost service reliability and performance, which works towards our overall goal of delivering more reliable transit service.”
Discussions around Timmins current public transit system came up during recent budget talks with a request for a transit rationalization process and route review being requested by council. Timmins Transit continues to deal with the affects of the pandemic and low ridership, but has once again frozen user fees to help offset changes to service.
Transit will be looking to purchase the new bus by the end of the year.
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
Now that Timmins’ outgoing Mayor, George Pirie, is MPP-elect for Timmins, City Council has 60 days to decide how the resulting vacancy on council will be addressed. Deputy Mayor Kristin Murray has currently taken over responsibilities of the position.
Council’s responsibility is to confirm the position of interim mayor and assign a new member to council by appointment within 60 days.
The next municipal election is scheduled for October 24, 2022.
See more information on Timmins’ 2022 municipal election.
Amanda Dyer
Following the results of the Ontario General Election, Deputy Mayor Kristin Murray offered congratulations to Timmins’ newly elected Member of Provincial Parliament.
“On behalf of myself and City Council, I want to congratulate our new MPP-elect George Pirie on his successful campaign. It has been a privilege serving with you on council. As Timmins’ Mayor, you have been steadfast in your commitment to achieving a future for our community that is progressive, prosperous and ready for change. I look forward to working with you in your new role.
I also want to offer thanks to Gilles Bisson for serving as our Member of Provincial Parliament for the last 32 years. Thank you for your leadership and dedication to Timmins and thank you to the team at the Constituency Office who have worked tirelessly for our residents.”
Amanda Dyer
A Special Council Meeting has been called for May 20, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss the following items:
Special Meeting:
Connecting Link Construction: Traffic Management Plans
In-Camera Meeting to follow:
The security of the property of the Municipality or Local Board.
For more information, contact the Clerks Department:
220 Algonquin Blvd. East
Timmins, Ontario
P4N 1B3
[email protected]
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
Mayor George Pirie will take an unpaid leave of absence from his role as Timmins’ Mayor beginning May 4, 2022 ahead of the June 2 provincial election.
Deputy Mayor Michelle Boileau will fill in as acting Mayor until May 31, 2022. Councillor Kristin Murray will step in as Deputy Mayor starting June 1, 2022.
Members of Council, the Clerk’s Office, and the office of the Chief Administration Officer (CAO) will continue to address the needs of residents during this nine-week period.
Following results of the June 2 provincial election, the position of Mayor will either resume or council will have 60 days to fill the resulting vacancy on council. The next municipal election is scheduled for October 24, 2022.
Amanda Dyer
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