Work on the final downtown segment of the Connecting Link moves ahead Monday, April 15 with full closure of Algonquin Blvd. E. between Balsam St. and west of Brunette Rd. The current road closure will be expanded along Algonquin Blvd. E. to east of the Balsam St. intersection, and will close the Pine St. and Cedar St. intersections.
Grinding operations will start early next week to remove layers of asphalt from the road surface. This is expected to take 3-5 days. During that time, pedestrians crossing Algonquin Blvd. north to south will be able to cross at the Balsam St. and Brunette Rd. intersections on either end of the construction zone. This is temporary. Once initial grinding operations are complete, a pedestrian crossing will be placed at Pine St.
Sidewalks along the east and west of Algonquin Blvd. E. will remain open while grinding is completed, safely blocked off from the active construction area.
Temporary traffic detours are already in place, with detour signage installed before Brunette Rd. and Mountjoy St. Motorists are asked to detour at Brunette Rd. or Mountjoy St. S., along Second Ave. Drivers should be prepared to stop at temporary traffic lights on Second Ave. at Brunette Rd. and Mountjoy St. S. Heavy truck traffic is being diverted at Shirley St. and Hwy. 655.
“City contractors are expediting site preparation, including removal of the existing asphalt,” says Scott Tam, Director of Growth and Infrastructure. “Once the overpass is removed, they will be ready to start work on excavation. We are closing the full construction zone to provide space for staging of materials and equipment, instead of using valuable municipal parking space in the downtown core.”
Removal of the overpass began earlier this month, with contractors removing ballast rock, saw cutting the concrete to begin removal, and drilling to remove concrete from embedded steel. The steel will be later cut and recycled.
For more information on the Connecting Link, visit: https://www.timmins.ca/our_services/engineering/connecting_links/2024_-_segment_8
Amanda Dyer
Contractors have implemented the temporary traffic detours for Connecting Link construction. Traffic is now being diverted at Brunette Rd. and Mountjoy St. S., via Second Ave. Heavy truck traffic is using the standard detour from Shirley St. to Hwy. 655
Detours were put into effect early following the building fire on Spruce St. S., which closed Algonquin Blvd. from Pine St. to west of Brunette Rd. The road closure will now remain in effect as contractors prepare to start demolition on the Algonquin overpass early next week.
Temporary traffic lights have been installed on Second Ave. at Brunette Rd. and Mountjoy St. S. The lights at Brunette Rd. and Second Ave. are set to flashing and the intersection will work as a 3-way stop to help keep traffic moving. Motorists are reminded that the first vehicle to arrive at the intersection and come to a complete stop, has the right-of-way. If two or more cars stop at the same time, right-of-way goes to the vehicle(s) on the right. All stop signs along Second Ave. will remain in place.
The detours are designed to help divert traffic around the construction zone, while maintaining traffic flow and limiting congestion. If you are traveling around the downtown core, it is recommended to use the full detour, from Brunette to Mountjoy St. S. along Second Ave., or use Second Ave. as your access point to downtown businesses south of Algonquin Blvd. E. Once demolition of the overpass is complete, Algonquin Blvd. E. will be closed at Balsam St. until construction is complete. Demolition of the overpass is expected to take 2-3 weeks. Motorists should expect some minor delays during construction.
Residents can sign up to receive Connecting Link updates directly at: https://www.timmins.ca/our_services/news_and_alerts/subscribe-to-city_news-alerts
Work is also confirmed this summer for both bridges along the Connecting Link. Porcupine River Bridge and Mattagami River Bridge will be rehabilitated with temporary lane reductions beginning sometime in May. Site preparation has already begun on the Porcupine River Bridge, with installation of netting underneath the bridge to deter nesting birds.
For more information on the Connecting Link, visit: https://www.timmins.ca/our_services/engineering/connecting_links/2024_-_segment_8
Amanda Dyer
The final downtown segment of the Connecting Link will begin with demolition of the overpass on Algonquin Blvd. E. Contractors are expected to mobilize the week of March 25 to start staging the area, with removal of the overpass beginning the first week of April. Dates are subject to change.
Once Stage 1 of construction begins, Algonquin Blvd. E. will be closed east of the Spruce Ave. intersection to just east of the overpass, with traffic being diverted on Brunette Rd., down Second Ave. to Mountjoy St. S. Removal of the overpass is expected to take two weeks. This year’s detour route will see temporary traffic lights added at both ends of Second Ave., but the stop signs at the intersections of Spruce and Balsam will remain in place.
“We worked with AECOM’s Transportation Department to revise last year’s detour and ensure the east and west stop signs on Second Ave. at Spruce and Balsam were not removed,” says Scott Tam, Director of Growth and Infrastructure. “We’re confident this will not create any significant congestion along the detour route, but will certainly alleviate some of the concerns raised from last year.”
Stage 2 of construction will begin immediately following the demolition of the overpass. Algonquin Blvd. E. will be closed to all traffic from east of the Balsam St. intersection to west of Brunette Rd. Detour signs will be in place before Mountjoy St. for eastbound traffic.
“Algonquin Blvd. will remain open between Mountjoy and Balsam, but we’re trying to encourage motorists to plan their route, “adds Tam. “If you are bypassing the downtown, consider turning at Mountjoy. It will create less congestion at the point of construction and keep traffic moving.”
During construction, access to Service Timmins at City Hall will be from Cedar St. N. via a temporary pedestrian walkway to the main entrance. A pedestrian crossing will also be maintained across Algonquin Blvd. that will shift around the active construction area as work progresses. It’s important that residents obey signs and traffic controls to keep themselves and contractors safe at all times.
The City’s Engineering Dept. is also working with the local snowmobile club to minimize disruption to what has already been a short season. While the City anticipates that work will begin at the end of March, plans can change. Residents can sign up to receive Connecting Link updates directly at: www.timmins.ca/our_services/news_and_alerts/subscribe-to-city_news-alerts.
Work is also confirmed this summer for both bridges along the Connecting Link. Porcupine River Bridge and Mattagami River Bridge will be rehabilitated with temporary lane reductions beginning sometime in May. Contractors will begin site preparation in late March, which includes installing netting underneath the Porcupine River Bridge to deter nesting birds.
For more information on the Connecting Link, visit: www.timmins.ca/our_services/engineering/connecting_links.
Amanda Dyer
With Connecting Link construction wrapping up for the season, the temporary detour in place along Brunette Rd. and Second Ave. will be removed. Algonquin Blvd. E. is expected to open early the week of November 13, 2023. The City’s Traffic Dept. is prioritizing the replacement of stop signs along Second Ave. at the intersections of Spruce St. S. and Balsam St. S. Motorists should be prepared to stop on Monday, November 13.
Both intersections along Second Ave. will be returned to an all-way or 4-way stop with all motor vehicles on approach coming to a complete stop. At a 4-way stop, the first vehicle to come to a complete stop has the right-of-way. If two or more cars stop at the same time, right-of-way goes to the vehicle on the right.
This year, construction has been completed on Connecting Link Segment 6 through the Mountjoy intersection, Segment 7 from Mountjoy to just east of Balsam St. N., and Segment 2 on Riverside Dr. from Shirley St. to Government Rd. The downtown segments of the Connecting Link are part of a three-year contract, with construction on Segment 8 beginning next spring. Segment 8 will include the removal of the underpass on Algonquin Blvd. E. and the addition of a dedicated snowmobile crossing just east of Brunette Rd.
Sign up for Connecting Link updates today at Timmins.ca and stay up-to-date on the latest construction news.
Amanda Dyer
Connecting Link work continues at two construction zones in the city.
Segment 2 – Riverside Dr. from Shirley St. to Government Rd. – We anticipate Riverside Dr. will be open by early October. Contractors are finishing concrete this week and will move to paving the base and binder layers on the southside of Riverside Dr. Work will then move to surface paving, line painting, and electrical.
Segment 7 – Algonquin Blvd. E from Mountjoy St. to Cedar St. - Contractor is completing pipe installation from Birch to Balsam. Curbs from Mountjoy to Birch are scheduled to start next week. The project will wrap up between Balsam and Cedar this year, with Algonquin re-opening late fall. Next year’s work will continue to just west of the Brunette intersection and includes removal of the overpass and installation of a new dedicated crossing for snowmobiles and pedestrians adjacent to Hollinger Park.
For more information on Connecting Link construction, visit: www.timmins.ca/connecting_link
Amanda Dyer
Contractors for the Connecting Link are wrapping up line painting on Algonquin Blvd. between the Mattagami Bridge and Mountjoy St. intersection this week.
Work on Segment 7 continues with blasting of the storm and water trench, which will facilitate installation of underground infrastructure.
Crews on Segment 2 of the Connecting Link between Shirley St. and Government Rd. have started work on catch basins and concrete installation on the south side of Riverside Dr. Beginning next Tuesday, August 08, work will move to the Walmart and Emerald St. intersection and include culvert replacement, lighting upgrades, and asphalt preparation. Work is anticipated to happen over 2-3 days. The entrance to Walmart will be kept open at all times with minor lane reductions.
Commercial motor vehicles are reminded that the detour along Shirley St. to Laforest Rd. remains in effect.
The City of Timmins thanks residents and business owners for their continued patience as we work through a busy construction season.
Amanda Dyer
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.
Amanda Dyer
Connecting Link construction is moving quickly on Riverside Dr. The contractor has been paving the inside lanes this week. Once complete, traffic will be diverted from the outside lanes to the inside lanes. We anticipate that this will happen early next week. Continue to follow signs and traffic controls.
Work on the outside lanes will include the installation of a new sidewalk from Shirley St. to Government Rd.
Crews have been in town this week pouring concrete for curbs and sidewalks in Segment 6 between Wilcox and Mountjoy. Once the concrete is poured, they do need to be covered and cure for 7 days before paving can begin. Once paving is complete, traffic controls are hooked up, line painting is finished, and Algonquin Blvd. from Preston through the Mountjoy intersection will be fully re-opened to traffic. We anticipate that this will happen in approximately 2 weeks, but will keep you updated.
Once construction moves to Segment 7 east of Mountjoy to Cedar St., vehicles will be diverted down one identified detour along Brunette Rd. to Second Ave. continuing to Mountjoy St. S. This a simplified detour route. Temporary traffic lights will be operational at Second and Brunette to maintain traffic flow. Motorists should also expect increased traffic along Sixth Ave. We will advise the public on the date the detour will go into effect.
Commercial motor vehicles are reminded that the detour along Shirley St. to Laforest Rd. remains in effect. Government Rd., Jaguar Dr., and Sandy Falls Rd. are not designated as truck routes.
This has been a busy construction season, but over the next couple of weeks, you’ll see a few projects wrap up and Connecting Link construction move ahead. Thank you for your continued patience.
Amanda Dyer
Work continues on Segment 6 of the Connecting Link between Wilcox St. and the Mountjoy St. intersection. All installation of in-ground pipes and infrastructure is completed. Crews will start to backfill the road, install curbs, concrete work, and traffic signals before paving and line painting can begin.
The contractor has also started on minor excavation and sign staging on Segment 7 east of the Mountjoy intersection to Cedar St. Once the Mountjoy intersection is fully reopened to traffic, crews will reopen Algonquin between Preston and Mountjoy and the detour along Brunette Rd. to Second Ave. will go into effect. The City will provide date and time.
We have been asked about the closed section between Waterloo and Preston. This area is part of the construction zone and is closed for motorist safety. The contractor uses this section as an access point for trucks and material delivery. We are anticipating that this will be open mid to late June.
Work is also being completed on the middle lanes of Segment 2 from Shirley St. to Government Rd. Traffic is currently reduced to one lane in both directions. Asphalt has now been removed. Crews will be removing existing concrete medians and doing some minor excavation before applying a layer of granule, new pavement, and installing new curbs and sidewalk.
The City continues to monitor traffic flow through the construction zone to prioritize vehicles moving east and west.
Commercial motor vehicles are reminded that the detour along Shirley St. to Laforest Rd. is now in effect. We have asked Timmins Police Service to take a more proactive approach in enforcing trucks bypassing the detour down Jaguar, Government or Sandy Falls. These roadways are not designated truck routes and heavy traffic can impact road conditions.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and patience as we expedite Connecting Link construction and complete work this season.
Amanda Dyer
Please be advised that Riverside Dr. between Shirley St. and Government Rd. has now been reduced to one lane in each direction, with traffic moved to the outside curb lanes while contractors begin work on Segment 2 of the Connecting Link.
In Segment 2 of the Connecting Link, work will be completed west of the Shirley St. intersection to Government Rd. In addition to stripping existing pavement, grading and compacting the base, and re-applying a fresh layer of asphalt, work will include installation of a cement sidewalk between Shirley St. and the Government Rd. intersection.
All access points and entries to roads and businesses along Riverside Dr. will be maintained throughout construction.
Motorists can expect delays and traffic congestion. Commercial vehicle trucks will still use the Shirley St. turn to connect with the standard truck detour along Laforest Rd. Some pavement milling in the outside curb lanes will be carried out to smooth entry points into adjacent roads and business entries.
Rehabilitation of the City’s Connecting Link is important work to improve major road infrastructure for Timmins. We appreciate your cooperation and patience as construction is completed.
Amanda Dyer
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