Causeway repairs set to start

FORT FRANCES—Northern Development and Mines minister Michael Gravelle was in town Thursday to announce the beginning of the provincial government’s five-year renovation program for the Noden Causeway here.
The first in a series of contracts has been awarded to Bruno’s Contracting of Thunder Bay. With a value of $6.58 million, it involves work on the 138-metre “East Low Level” part of the causeway, noted Gravelle.
The Noden Causeway consists of three structures—the East Low Level, West Low Level, and High Level—comprising five, 19, and 20 spans, respectively.
The work is scheduled for completion this fall, and will include a new widened deck and the replacement of the existing concrete barrier wall with a open steel railing system.
Traffic will be reduced to single lane within the construction zone and be controlled by portable traffic signals.
The funding for the contract is coming from the Liberal government’s Northern Highways Program.
In the past four years, the McGuinty government has invested a record total of more than $1.3 billion through the Northern Highways Program, including a record $557 million in 2008-09.
“Continued investment in the north’s vital transportation network will be an integral part of the Northern Growth Plan we are developing to strengthen local economies and attract new business investments,” Gravelle said during his announcement at the Civic Centre.
Gravelle was going to make the announcement at the causeway boat launch, but had to change plans due to the weather.
“Rebuilding this critical transportation link over the next five years will extend its life with as little disruption to road users and area communities as possible,” Transportation minister Jim Bradley said is a press release Thursday.
On behalf of the Town of Fort Frances, Mayor Roy Avis presented Gravelle with a Cher Pruys print depicting an airplane flying over the Noden Causeway.
Prior to the announcement, Mayor Avis, deputy mayor Sharon Tibbs, and local MNDM officer Jane Gillon lunched with Gravelle and his assistant, Anne-Marie Flanagan, to discuss local concerns and issues.
Work on the Noden Causeway first began in 1958 and was opened in 1965.
It was rehabilitated in the 1980s, with new barrier walls and joints. But in recent years, the causeway has demonstrated drainage problems, as well as poor pavement and joint conditions.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)