Skip to content

Underpass fencing addressing 'safety concerns', says city

The barriers were put up days after an encampment was cleared, the city did not answer how much the project is costing

Days after a homeless encampment was cleared out on Timmins' main road, fencing has been added to the area.

For weeks, people have been staying beneath the overpass on Algonquin Boulevard until city staff and Timmins Police cleared it out last Friday (Sept. 23). The day prior, Timmins Mayor Kristin Murray issued a statement saying the city's concerned about vagrancy.

CAO Dave Landers asked for the fencing to "address safety concerns at the underpass," according to communications co-ordinator Amanda Dyer.  Prior to joining the city, Landers was the CAO at Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB), which is responsible for the homelessness programs in the Cochrane District.

"The underpass is scheduled to be removed as part of upgrades to the Connecting Link route within the next two years. The fencing will remain in place until that time. We are working with our local service agencies to ensure that outreach continues and that there is capacity and resources available as required," wrote Dyer in an email. 

The city did not answer how much the fencing has cost taxpayers.