THUNDER BAY – When you hear people complaining that there are roads being closed so that repairs can be made, they are often the same people who complained that our roads needed repair.
Construction season in Thunder Bay is continuing into November this year. Weather is helping to make a difference allowing crews to keep working.
This weekend the Ministry of Transport advises, at the Expressway and Red River Road that final paving work will mean reduced traffic lanes at the Red River Road intersection over the next few days:
On the Thunder Bay Expressway, paving work at the Red River Road intersection is planned to continue through the weekend and into early next week, depending on weather conditions. Traffic lanes at the intersection will be reduced at various times throughout this period in order to perform paving operations. Drivers should expect delays in moving through the intersection and are reminded to drive with care, follow lane detours, and directions from the police.
The City of Thunder Bay reports, Construction projects around Thunder Bay will continue through November as the busy construction season wraps up. Construction projects can result in road closures, detours and delays for drivers.
This year has been full of activity for the City of Thunder Bay Engineering Division. A total of 15.8 km of streets were resurfaced during this construction season. There was also the addition of 9 km of bike lanes and 0.5 km of shared lanes as part of the Active Transportation Plan to promote safe and convenient bicycle commuter routes. In addition, 3 km of recreational trails were improved during the summer (not all work completed yet for this year). There was also 1.5 km of new sidewalks added along with 4.1 km of sidewalk replacements. Replacements were completed on 3.5 km of watermains, with .47 km of new watermains, 1.7 km of sanitary sewer pipe replacement, 0.2 km of new sanitary and 2.2 km of storm sewer pipe replacement.
The following areas are scheduled for road and other major infrastructure work expected to affect traffic this fall. The City’s Capital Budget provides funding for these projects. Some of this year’s construction projects, including road and bridge work, were funded in part by the Federal Gas Tax Program.
For more information or to view a map of construction projects, visit www.thunderbay.ca/roadworkahead.
Temporary street closures will be in effect:
· Friday, Nov. 11 from 10 am to 11:20 am, Red River Road from Regent Street to Algoma Street and Waverley Street from Banning Street to Algoma Street will be closed for the Remembrance Day Ceremony, held by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 5.
· Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10 am to noon, Beverly Street from the Community Auditorium to Memorial Avenue, Memorial from Beverly to May Street, and May from Memorial to Northern Avenue will be closed for the Christmas Parade, hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Thunder Bay.
Road Work Underway:
Sewer & Watermain Work
· Algoma Street between Bay Street and Pearl Street is scheduled for road, sewer, watermain and sidewalk construction. There will be closures and reductions to traffic lanes. One lane will be available for travel through the construction zone. Northbound traffic will have a posted detour via Bay/Court/Pearl streets. Access to Algoma Street businesses will be via the laneway off Machar Avenue and Wilson Street.
· Peter Street from Dawson Street to River Street will be closed for the reconstruction of the watermain and sanitary sewer, complete with new curb and gutter and full road restoration.
· Mercier Street from Hutton Park Drive to John will be closed for the installation of a new storm sewer complete with new ditching. Base lift asphalt will be deferred to the Spring of 2012.
· A new watermain will be installed near the Current River Arena. The parking lot will be affected. Please watch for posted signage.
Bridge Work
· Rehabilitation work on James Street Bridge will continue through the construction season. During construction, traffic will be narrowed to two lanes and left turns on Riverside Drive and Parkway Drive may be restricted. Please follow posted detour and construction signage as required.
Road, Street Lighting & Sidewalk Improvements
· Dawson Street from Jean Street to Peter Street will be closed from time to time to allow for top lift paving and driveway restoration.
· Rosslyn Road between the 15th Sideroad and the 20th Sideroad is scheduled for watervalve replacement and road paving. Some one-lane flagging around the construction area is expected as work proceeds.
· Road reconstruction on Hogarth Street, Hogarth Place and Hinton Avenue is scheduled in Grandview Gardens. Local access only, driveway interruptions are possible. Work includes road base, curbing, sidewalk, lighting and paving.
· Final paving work remains on portions of Walsh Street (including Holly Crescent and Linwood Crescent), Tarbutt Street, Shuniah Street, Ogden Street, Pacific Avenue and Sixth Avenue. Watch for lane closures and there will be local access only as the final work proceeds.
· Red River Road and Cumberland Street intersection is slated for final paving and completion of traffic signal and street lighting work. The four-way stop control will remain in place until new traffic signals are operational.
The above list includes major, traffic-affecting construction only. Work including sidewalk replacements is also proceeding in residential areas and other areas around the City. The schedule is subject to change.