A $7-million project to reconstruct a section of the main road through Timmins is moving ahead this year.
Belanger Construction has been awarded the $7.2 million project to rebuild Algonquin Boulevard West from Mattagami Boulevard South near the bridge to Theriault Boulevard. The project includes a full reconstruction of water, sanitary and storm infrastructure, new curbs and sidewalk, new asphalt and new light standards.
"This is the top segment as far as criticality or probability of failure that we have on the Connecting Link,” said Pat Seguin, director of public works and engineering.
With the ongoing pandemic and storms in Texas, Seguin noted the contractor had reached out to warn the city it could take longer to source material.
Seguin said work can start as early as weather permits. The project will likely extend into the fall.
The city had planned to do the work last year, but the project was cancelled after the sole bid received was for $8.5 million. The city's engineer had estimated the project would cost about $6.1 million.
Two bids were received for the work this year — Belanger Construction and Interpaving Limited, who bid $7.8 million.
The city budget for the project is $7.9 million.
In the fall, the city applied for a $3 million provincial grant, which is the maximum available through the Connecting Link program. If that funding doesn't come through the city plans to use federal gas tax cash to cover the $3 million.
The section of the road being reconstructed was temporarily closed to replace hydro poles over the weekend.
“Last Sunday Algonquin was closed for four hours and there was a 1,000 cars on Airport Road trying to go across the bridge. Do we have a contingency plan,” asked Coun. Cory Robin.
Seguin said there is traffic management plan.
“Two lanes would be left open at all times while we build a detour around to Wilson then the traffic would go that direction,” he said.
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.
Last year, changes were made to the city's heavy truck bylaw on the Connecting Link.
Heavy trucks travelling along Highway 101 — which is also known as Harold Avenue, King Street, Algonquin and Riverside at various points — are required to use the curbside lane in both directions from Falcon Street in Porcupine to Government Road in the west end of town.
