Options for solving traffic and pedestrian concerns along the Timmins connecting link were presented at an open house meeting at the McIntyre Arena last night.
The meeting was held to present options from an environmental assessment prepared by AECOM Consulting for the city of Timmins Engineering Department containing alternative options for resolving some longstanding issues all the portion of Highway 101 that runs through Timmins.
The connecting link is a 22 kilometre stretch of Highway 101 from Kamiskotia Rd. in the west to the old ONR railway tracks east of Porcupine in the east.
The public was invited to attend the open house and comment on the proposals developed for the City of Timmins. Public comments must be recorded and reflected in the Environmental Assessment submitted by the City of Timmins to the Ministry of the Environment prior to approval being awarded to commence work.
“At least now we will have a plan to upgrade and improve the 22 kms. of the connecting link,” said Ward 5 Councillor Michael Doody. “The people of Timmins, especially those living along the route have a right to have their say on how we should improve the connecting link.”
Until the late 1990s all of Highway 101 was looked after by the provincial government. However, jurisdiction over the so-called connecting links, the portions that ran through municipalities, were devolved to local governments by the government of Mike Harris.
A plan with a preferred option and costs associated with the undertaking will be presented to council for a decision and then submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change environmental approvals.
“People are concerned about the heavy mining trucks driving through downtown on Algonquin Blvd.,” Councillor Doody said. “But written on those trucks are jobs and that’s something for council to consider.
According to Pat Sequin Manager of Engineering for the City of Timmins
the plan that the public commented on answers questions on how much it would cost, how long it would take implement the recommendations.
“The portion of work on the road itself would cost approximately $90 million,” Sequin said.
In some instances, the city may want to reduce the highway from four to two lanes to slow down traffic flow and reduce accidents said Sequin. He was referring to a built up stretch of Highway 101 from Porcupine to South Porcupine. The roadway would have one lane in each direction with a centre median left turn lane.
“The problem we’re having in Porcupine is that what had been a two-lane highway at 70 km per hour opens up to a 4 lane road that is supposed to be 60 km. but drivers speed up to overtake cars they felt were going to slow,” said Ward 4 Councillor Pat Bamford.
To prevent that from happening I favour a three lane structure,” said Councillor Bamford. One eastbound, one west bound and a centre lane used for making left turns.”
Former Councillor John Curley is hopeful that the plan includes measures to improve the Highway 101 – Bruce Street interchange.
“I would like to see a restraining structure added at the exit lane at Bruce Avenue so people have to exit instead of changing their minds at the last minute and re-entering the flow of traffic,” Curley explained.
Sequin said the plan also will consider and incorporate other add-on projects that have been proposed over the years.
“A set of add-on projects along the connecting link would add another $50 million,” he explained.
Some of the projects demanded from members of the public include:
- The burial of overhead electrical wiring on Algonquin Blvd near Mount Joy
- The construction of a sidewalk from Shirley Street to Walmart along Riverside Drive.
- A median guard rail to separate east and westbound traffic points along Porcupine and South Porcupine including Rae Hill and the Bruce Street intersection
- The construction of a sidewalk in South Porcupine to the Porcupine Mall
The connecting link handles a reported 25,000 vehicles per day including heavy mining transport and forestry transport trucks that often play havoc with the road’s bearing capacity and require frequent repairs.
In addition, snow removal along the 22 km stretch cuts into the City of Timmins budget for dealing with other arterial roads such as 3rd and 2nd Avenues, Mount Joy Street and neighborhood streets.
In 2010 the McGuinty government decide to end provincial government funding to municipalities to help them maintain the connecting links. The funding was part of the original devolution scheme enacted by the Harris government in the late 1990s.
“It’s a problem affecting municipalities across,” Councillor Doody. “Towns like Kapuskasing and Hearst are spending a lot of their budget taking care of what is a provincial highway (Highway 11).
Doody said he is pleased that the current Wynn government is now providing funding to improve connecting links.
