Wires along Algonquin Boulevard through Timmins' downtown core will be staying above ground.
As the city moves forward with planning for the next phase of Connecting Link, council was asked to make a decision on burying the utilities from Fogg Street to Spruce.
“I don’t think there’s any appetite around this table to bury wires,” Mayor George Pirie said after a presentation and discussion on the item.
In Timmins, the Connecting Link is a 21.35-kilometre stretch of Highway 101 running from Kamiskotia Road in the west to the old railway tracks in Porcupine.
Since 2016 more than $19 million of roadwork has been done on about five kilometres from the top of Rae Hill to Legion Drive.
In 2020, the focus is Algonquin Boulevard from Mattagami Boulevard South just east of the bridge to Theriault. The work would be done from April to November, with some restoration work in 2021.
At the last meeting in October, council approved a staff request to apply for provincial funding on the next phase of work.
At that time, a request for direction on whether or not to bury the utilities was deferred to allow for a report on what it would cost.
This week, council heard the estimated cost is $25 to $32 million. Burying the wires would also mean a two-year delay in getting the work done.
While council likes the esthetics of burying the wires, the pricetag is too much.
“I’m surprised we’re having this discussion at $32 million. It’s quite a hefty amount and with $32 million, I’m sure the residents of Timmins would love to spend that on many things,” said Coun. Kristen Murray.
Even if the utilities were buried, AECOM project manager Darrell Maahs said there would probably be the same number of poles needed to accommodate lighting.
The impact on businesses to close sections of Algonquin Boulevard over a number of years has also been a concern.
There is still a possibility that the work along the downtown stretch could be sped up.
Maahs said there is potential that the remaining three segments after next year's work could be done in two phases.
“I think the best bet is to get our first year under our belt and see what we’re going to be dealing with from the bridge to Theriault,” said Coun. John Curley.
The project includes replacing old infrastructure underground that is nearing end of life.
“And since the last council meeting, we’ve had two breaks in segment five and we’ve had one in segment six, which is at Mountjoy,” said Pat Seguin, director of engineering and public works.
