Construction is progressing on a major section of Timmins’ Connecting Link, with work continuing along the city’s main thoroughfare. Segment 9 covers approximately 700 metres of Algonquin Boulevard East, between Brunette Road and Highway 655. The project includes a full reconstruction of the roadway, as well as upgrades to water and storm infrastructure. “Road construction is always a complicated task or project within the city, especially right through the main artery throughout the city here,” said Scott Tam, the city’s director of growth and infrastructure. “Right now, we’re progressing. There has been some challenges. We had to work through a few things.” With road construction taking place from one end of the city to the other, including provincially led projects, Tam said keeping motorists moving through the city while work continues has been a challenge. The city’s project has required traffic to be redirected to allow crews to continue with watermain work. “I mean, you know, the challenges here is always making sure that we’re maintaining traffic flow,” said Tam. “It’s changing daily life, and how people get to where they have to go to, to work, to use some of the facilities that are in the area, the commerce areas. So this year we’ve maintained that everybody still has access and operating still.” The city’s work has uncovered aging infrastructure, including water and storm sewer systems. Despite those challenges, Tam said the project remains on track for completion this fall. “That is the plan and we should have everything back up and open by the end of October,” he said. Segment 9 is one of two Connecting Link projects being completed by the City of Timmins this year as part of its ongoing effort to rehabilitate the corridor.
