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.
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