Ontario has announced their annual Gas Tax funding and Timmins is set to receive $585,411. The investment will be used to offset the City’s cost of farebox system upgrades, trackless equipment to clear transit stops in winter, and new conventional buses.
“Timmins Transit has a number of modernization projects planned for this year,” says Ken Krcel, Director of Public Works and Environmental Services. “We are in the process of extensive route reviews, piloting transit on-demand, and updating payment services with modern fareboxes. This year’s gas tax funding will help deliver on Timmins Transit’s goal to deliver modern and efficient public transportation.”
In January, City Council approved the purchase of four new diesel-powered buses and 25 fare boxes, with partial funding approved through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) – Public Transit Stream. ICIP covers 73% of eligible costs to purchase new equipment and upgrades, with the remaining 27% covered by the municipality. The City’s approved Gas Tax funding will be used to cover the municipal portion.
Amanda Dyer
The following municipal services will be closed or unavailable over the Easter Weekend (March 29 – April 1):
- Service Timmins and Provincial Offences Office will be closed Easter Friday and Easter Monday.
- There will be no household waste and recycling collection on Easter Friday. Friday’s collection will be completed on Monday, April 1. Collection that falls on Easter Monday will be unaffected and collected as scheduled.
- Deloro Landfill will be closed on Easter Friday.
- There will be no Timmins Transit services on Easter Friday and Easter Sunday. Transit services on Easter Monday will be modified to a standard Sunday service.
- The Timmins Museum: NEC will be closed on Easter Friday, Sunday and Monday.
- Both branches of the Timmins Public Library will be closed on Easter Friday, Sunday, and Monday.
- The Archie Dillon Sportsplex Pool is closed Easter Friday, Sunday, and Monday. Regular pool hours on Saturday.
For more information about municipal services visit www.timmins.ca or call Service Timmins at 705-264-1331.
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
Following this weekend’s fire at the Empire Complex on Spruce St. S., donations of clothing, hygiene items, and housewares have piled up. At this time, St. Vincent de Paul, Second Time Around, and Something Special Boutique are at capacity and are no longer accepting material donations. Material donations are also not being accepted at the Bon-Air Motel.
Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) is working with tenants to determine what items are actually needed and how material donations will be distributed. The City of Timmins has also confirmed that the building has been turned over to the property owner, who will manage access to the building to collect belongings. This will be done by property management directly with the tenant.
Monetary donations are still being accepted through Service Timmins. Donations can be made in-person, by mail, or by e-mail money transfer to [email protected] through your financial institution. All donations over $20 will be provided with a donation receipt and must include the donor’s name and address. Money collected by the City of Timmins will be transferred to CDSSAB for distribution. It is important to note that residents should remain vigilant for fraudulent donation requests. The City of Timmins will not contact an individual directly to request a monetary donation, or require that they submit financial information through social media or from an unsecured site.
The City of Timmins thanks residents for their unprecedented generosity. The community quickly mobilized to offer support, whether it was by providing meals or donating clothing and materials. It is very much appreciated.
Amanda Dyer
The Timmins Fire Department has concluded active fire operations at 11 Spruce St. S., Empire Complex. The building’s top two floors have been thoroughly inspected with thermal imaging to confirm that the fire has been fully extinguished. The City’s Chief Building Official, Esa Saarela, has inspected the building with a certified structural engineer, and concluded that the building is structurally safe. The property was turned over to the building’s property manager at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024.
Investigation into the cause of the fire has been completed by the City’s Fire Prevention Officer, and is determined to be accidental. The property owner is now responsible for the building, including who is allowed to enter and how personal belongings of evacuated tenants will be retrieved. The Property Manager for the building is in contact with residents being temporarily housed at the Bon-Air Motel. Future plans for the building will be determined by the property owner.
Timmins Fire Chief, Berny Stansa, is quick to point out how proud he is of the career and volunteer firefighters who worked together to safely evacuate tenants and extinguish the fire.
“This type of fire is extremely challenging and equally frustrating for firefighters,” says Stansa. “The decision to go from interior attack to defensive mode is a difficult decision, and is usually made when the commanding officer feels that the structural integrity of the building, or fire conditions worsen, to the point where firefighter safety is in question. Firefighters would rather be inside the building, trying to put the fire out. In this case, our officer made the right call, as any fire that is burning overhead can be perilous.
“Over 30 firefighters were on scene, and each one did an incredible job. A significant amount of manpower was required for this fire, with supply lines fed from six different hydrants to four different apparatus. We are very fortunate that our volunteer firefighters always step up when they are required to. That takes a great deal of dedication. Our crews worked many extra hours to try to extinguish a two-day fire. I am incredibly proud of them.”
Stansa’s pride and gratefulness is being echoed by Mayor Michelle Boileau, who also remained on-scene at the Bon-Air Motel to assist with coordinating housing response. “I witnessed the effort, care, and compassion of our firefighters firsthand,” says Mayor Boileau. “Their efforts were focused on evacuating tenants, many who had mobility issues, through hallways that were filled with smoke. They accomplished this quickly with no serious injuries reported. I am incredibly proud of the Timmins Fire Department, our career and volunteer firefighters, and administrative staff who worked quickly to ensure the safety of the Empire Complex tenants.
“I also want to comment on the generosity of people in our community. It was humbling to see. Residents and businesses were bringing food for our firefighters, concerned about their wellbeing. They were donating food, monetary donations, and clothing to the evacuated tenants. One thing we can all be proud of is that this city knows how to step up and support each other. Thank you.”
The area around 11 Spruce St. S. will remain closed to traffic and pedestrians due to safety concerns with ice and debris. The City is currently working with Belanger Construction Ltd. to mobilize the Connecting Link detour down Brunette Rd. and Second Ave. and the heavy truck detour down Shirley St. to Lafleur Dr. to help divert traffic. Demolition of the Algonquin Blvd. E. overpass is expected to begin next week as planned.
The City is also accepting monetary donations for tenants of the Empire Complex through Service Timmins. Donations can be made in-person by cash, cheque, or debit, by email transfer to [email protected], or by mail with cheque. All money collected by the City of Timmins will be transferred to the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) for distribution. Donation receipts will be issued for donations over $20. Donor’s name and address is required.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins’ Environmental Services Department wishes to advise the public of a water main break, which can cause temporary water service disruptions, in the following areas:
Areas:
• On Maple St. N between Jubilee Ave. E & Brousseau Ave.
• On Brousseau Ave. between Maple St. N & Birch St. N.
Date & Time of Disruption:
• March 25, 2024 – 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Homeowners and/or businesses within the area might experience water service disruptions which can include but not limited to no water, low pressure and/or discoloured water. It is recommended not to drink or wash laundry with discoloured water. While it is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry. Should the water be discoloured, it is advised to turn on the COLD water tap closest to the source (usually your laundry tub tap) and let it run for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the water colour has returned to normal.
Road closure within this area might last longer than the estimated date and time of disruption once the repair is made.
City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this work.
Sara Perron
The City of Timmins is issuing an extreme cold weather alert for Thursday, March 21, 2024. Temperatures are expected to drop to -30 overnight (inclusive of wind chill) Risk of frost bite.
Exposure to extreme cold temperatures can cause serious and sometimes even life-threatening health problems. Protection from extreme cold conditions includes avoiding wind exposure, dressing in warm layers, and covering exposed skin.
People requiring emergency shelter can attend the location at 316 Spruce St. S. for assistance.
Amanda Dyer
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