Two more segments of the City’s Connecting Link have been approved for reconstruction. Council has awarded the contract for segments 9 and 10, Brunette Rd. to Father Costello Dr. E., to GIP Interpaving Ltd. in the amount of $17,960,701.85 + HST. Due to the scope and complexity of the project, construction will be carried out over two years. Work will begin this year on Segment 9, stretching approximately 700 metres from Brunette Rd. to Hwy. 655. Motorists will agree that this section is priority due to deteriorating asphalt. Full road surface reconstruction is planned, including new asphalt, curbs, sidewalks, and traffic medians. Sections of watermain and storm sewer infrastructure will be replaced, along with the traffic signals at Brunette Rd. and Hwy. 655, and streetlights will be upgraded to meet current standards. Construction will require lane reductions only with phased traffic control. Access to all businesses and properties will be maintained throughout the project. The City has spoken directly to business and property owners in Segment 9 and will continue to provide timely updates. “We are also working closely with Cochrane District Paramedic Service,” adds Scott Tam, Director of Growth and Infrastructure. “Emergency service operations, including ambulance access, will remain uninterrupted during construction.” GIP Interpaving Ltd. will also complete Segment 13 of the Connecting Link this year. An updated construction timeline is expected in the coming weeks. While an exact start date for Segment 9 has not been confirmed, the City will provide updates as they become available. For more information on rehabilitation of the City’s Connecting Link, visit: https://www.timmins.ca/our_services/engineering/connecting_links.
Work on Segment 13 of the City’s two-year Connecting Link project is nearing completion for the 2025 construction season. Highway 101 East (Harold Ave.) between Crawford St. and Lawrence St. is expected to be fully reopened to traffic by the end of November. Paving on the main roadway has been completed for this year. Temporary asphalt has been applied at some access points to ensure the highway can open as winter road conditions set in. These areas will be replaced and finished next year along with the final lift of asphalt throughout Segment 13. Construction of the new north-side sidewalk has been rescheduled to next spring to allow for utility pole relocation and site grading. The south-side sidewalk will be open by the end of November, with some sections of temporary asphalt in place to facilitate winter plowing and sanding. This asphalt will also be replaced in the spring. “Contractors are focused on getting the highway and pedestrian corridor open by the end of November,” said Scott Tam, Director of Growth and Infrastructure. “Work planned for this year has been strategically adjusted to manage what can be completed now, ensuring a productive start in 2026. At the west entrance to Northern College, the new signalized intersection is expected to be operational by the end of November. The addition of traffic lights will improve safety and traffic flow for both motorists and pedestrians. Watermain installation will continue east of Lawrence St. for approximately 350 m. Motorists can expect minor lane reductions throughout December, weather permitting. “Contractors are pushing forward to complete as much as possible,” added Tam. “The additional work scheduled in December will give the project a head start next spring.” Segment 13 is a two-year construction project extending from Crawford St. to the Porcupine River Bridge. It is scheduled for completion in 2026, alongside work on Segment 9 between Brunette Rd. and the Hwy. 655 intersection.
Starting Monday, August 18, the small section of Lawrence St. between Michener Blvd. and Hwy 101 E. will be closed. Contractors will be excavating for in-ground services. We expect the closure to take approximately 2 weeks. Traffic on Hwy 101 E. will not be impacted. A road closed sign will be placed on Ferguson Rd. at Lawrence St. with access for local traffic only. Crawford and Bristol are available for detours. Learn more about the City's full rehabilitation of the Connecting Link at: www.timmins.ca/connecting_link
Plans to begin annual rehabilitation of the City’s Connecting Link were given the green light at last night’s council meeting. Council has awarded the contract for Hwy. 101 reconstruction to GIP Interpaving Ltd. in the amount of $21,758,222 + HST. Segment 13 of the Connecting Link is scheduled this year, with work moving east from Crawford St. to the Porcupine River Bridge. Due to the length of the segment, work is planned over two years and includes full asphalt restoration, drainage improvements, and new street lights and traffic signals. A new sidewalk is being added to the north side of Hwy. 101 between Crawford St. and the Porcupine Mall, which will improve pedestrian safety and walkability along the busy thoroughfare. The City is also planning ahead for future growth and development by upsizing the current watermain, building capacity and efficiency in the City’s water distribution system. “Reconstruction of Segment 13 is top priority due to the age of the infrastructure and asphalt quality,” says Scott Tam, Director of Growth and Infrastructure. “We’re anticipating little to no disruption for residents, business owners, and drivers. This section will require temporary lane reductions only, with no significant traffic detours and minor delays. Access to business entrances will be maintained at all times.” As part of the project, improvements are also being made to the entrance of the Integrated Emergency Services Complex, which includes the Whitney Volunteer Fire Hall, by moving it to align with the traffic lights at the Porcupine Mall. “We have worked with AECOM to ensure that while we rehabilitate the road, we are actively making improvements that will better serve the community,” adds Tam. “We are working to support future development and improve safety along this important transportation corridor.” For more information on the Connecting Link, visit: https://www.timmins.ca/our_services/engineering/connecting_links.
With Algonquin Blvd. E. now open following construction, we understand that there are some concerns with the timing sequence of the lights on Algonquin Blvd. E. between Mountjoy St. and Spruce St. New software and programming has been installed as part of road upgrades. Our staff are currently working with contractors to ensure that everything is working properly. This includes the new lights adjacent to Hollinger Park. We appreciate your patience and will continue to provide updates.
On Monday, February 16, 2026, the Timmins Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Lion’s Crest Lane in Schumacher. Crews from Stations 3 and 5 responded to the 2-storey, multi-unit residential structure with fire visible from the back of the building. First-arriving crews began an aggressive attack on the second-floor unit to ensure no occupants remained inside. Residents from the main floor and basement units had safely evacuated prior to fire department arrival. Once crews confirmed that all occupants had vacated the structure, operations transitioned to a defensive attack due to rapid fire spread and structural instability. Additional crews from Station 1 were requested to provide aerial apparatus support. The fire was brought under control at approximately 11:00 p.m. Timmins Fire Department investigators remain on the scene to gather evidence and determine the cause. At this time, there is no reason to believe the fire is suspicious. The Timmins Fire Department reminds the public to ensure that working smoke alarms are installed on all levels of their home and outside of sleeping areas. It is important to have a home escape plan, including a meeting area, and practice the plan with your family.
The Timmins Fire Department responded to a structure fire at an industrial complex located on Laforest Rd. on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at approximately 4:00 a.m. Fire crews encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the building and initiated an aggressive attack in an effort to slow the spread of the fire; however, the fire had already entered the roof structure and rapidly spread throughout the building. Water supply operations were supported by tanker shuttles from Airport Rd. All Timmins Fire Department tankers were deployed to maintain adequate water supply. No injuries were reported. The fire was brought under control at approximately 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Timmins Fire Department and the Office of the Fire Marshal will be conducting the investigation with the assistance of Timmins Police Service.
The Timmins Fire Department is reminding residents of the importance of maintaining their carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and fuel-burning appliances. Legislative changes to the Ontario Fire Code will take effect on January 1, 2026, aimed at enhancing safety in homes, residential buildings, and care occupancies. Residents and building owners are encouraged to enact these changes as soon as possible for additional safety. Effective January 1, 2026, all existing homes including detached, semi-detached houses, townhouses, cottages, and any dwelling with a fuel-burning appliance (furnace, water heater, or stove that uses natural gas, propane, oil or wood), fireplace, or attached garage must have: A CO alarm installed next to each sleeping area. A CO alarm on every floor (storey) without a sleeping area CO alarms are required even in homes where air for heating comes from a fuel-burning appliance located outside the dwelling. The updated regulation applies to single-family homes, multi-unit buildings (both low-rise and high-rise), and dwelling units/ suites located directly above, below, or beside a service room containing a fuel-burning appliance. The updated regulations also apply to care occupancies. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colourless, and potentially lethal gas often called the "silent killer." Without a proper alarm, exposure is undetectable. The expanded requirements help ensure all residents receive early warning of CO danger, giving occupants time to escape safely. The Timmins Fire Dept. is urging everyone to check existing CO alarms, make necessary upgrades, replace batteries as needed, and ensure annual inspection of fuel-burning appliances by licensed professionals. A CO alarm sounds different than a smoke alarm. Test both alarms every month and make sure everyone in your home knows the difference between the two alarm sounds. If a CO alarm sounds and an occupant is suffering from any exposure symptoms, immediately exit the home and call 911. If no symptoms are experienced ensure the alarm does not need new batteries and is not expired before calling 911. For further information or assistance with CO and smoke alarm requirements, contact the Timmins Fire Department at 705-360-2626