Staff
The traffic lights at Central Avenue were shut off at 1 p.m. on Monday and will remain that way for the next month-and-a-half while construction takes place on Second Street between Central Avenue and Mowat Avenue.
“There’s not going to be any stopping [at the Central Avenue intersection],” explained Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown. “It’s basically just southbound or westbound. So it’s a 90 degree curve, two lanes in each direction.”
He noted people are already getting used to the detour, which sees traffic rerouted down First Street East to Portage Avenue where vehicles can then get back onto Second Street East.
Additionally, the intersection at Mowat Avenue and Second Street is shut down and Fourth Street between Central Avenue and Cornwall Avenue is blocked off.
The work will include upgrades to 277 metres of roadway infrastructure on Second Street East (between Mowat and Central) and Mowat Avenue (between Second Street East and Third Street East).
It also will include replacement and upgrades to 158 metres of the storm sewer system, as well as the replacement of 293 metres of watermains and other pertinent water infrastructure.
Some 285 metres of sanitary sewer lines and other pertinent sewer system infrastructure also will be replacement.
“It’s a process,” Brown voiced, adding temporary signage is in place to direct traffic from the border directly to Central Avenue, instead of going down Mowat Avenue like they usually do.
Also at Monday evening’s meeting, council:
•received Minutes of Settlement for 518 Fourth St. West; 801 Cornwall Ave.; 639 Second St. East; 1250 Cornwall Ave. North; 1227 Idylwild Drive;
127 First St. East; 314-316 Scott St.; Parcel 17378 (Fourth St. West); 146 Third St. West; 216 Fifth St. West; 220 Fifth St. West; 353 Scott St.; 1059 Williams Ave.; and 474 Scott St.
The total financial impact of the Minutes of Settlement is $7,059.80, consisting of a reduction of municipal revenue of $5,349.26 and a reduction of education revenue of $1,710.54;
•approved a per diem claim for Coun. Andrew Hallikas in the amount of $150. This was for attending the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association board meeting in Thunder Bay on June 19;
•approved an expense claim for Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft in the amount of $316.36. This is for expenses pertaining to the July 1st reception;
•approved a travel claim for town CAO Mark McCaig in the amount of $36. This was to attend a Human Rights Tribunal Mediation in Thunder Bay on June 20-21; and
•approved purchase card expenses for McCaig in the amount of $71.50. This was for entertainment expenses at the same meeting.
