Segment 8 of the Connecting Link is the third and final year of the downtown portion of the Connecting Link. Road improvements will be made along Algonquin Blvd. E. between Balsam St. to west of Brunette Rd., including removal of the Algonquin overpass and installation of a new dedicated snowmobile crossing adjacent to Hollinger Park.
The work will be extensive and detours are necessary to complete work and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
At the start of construction, Algonquin Blvd. E. will be closed east of the Pine St. intersection to just east of the Algonquin overpass while crews demolish and remove the structure. Traffic will need to detour at Pine St. to avoid construction, but it is recommended, IF you are traveling through the downtown area, to bypass construction using the dedicated Brunette Rd. / Second Ave. detour.
Once the overpass has been removed, the full construction zone between Balsam St. and west of Brunette Rd. will be closed and remain closed to traffic until work is completed. Westbound motorists will be directed left onto Brunette Rd. Eastbound motorists will be directed right onto Mountjoy St. S. Algonquin Blvd. E. will remain open up to and including the Balsam St. intersection, but motorists are requested to use the temporary detour if they are passing through the downtown area.
Temporary traffic lights have been added at the Brunette Rd. / Second Ave. intersection and Second Ave. / Mountjoy St. S. intersection. Stop signs will remain in place along the detour route.
Truck Detour:
Commercial Motor Vehicles will be using the standard 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 (approximately 1.25 km's).
