The Town of Fort Frances will be applying to the Canada-Ontario Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) for money to repair the Portage Avenue underpass next spring.
Council directed this Monday night after receiving a report from Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown, who noted the project will consist of replacing 180 metres of concrete from Third Street to Fifth Street, putting in new retaining walls, as well as a new sidewalk and handrail on the west side of the street.
The work also will include modifications to the railway abutment structures (installation of soil anchors), putting up new chain link fences, and upgrading to the storm sewer system (pump house and piping).
The existing roadway also will be reinforced and modified, with a view towards having an alternate truck route to the north sometime down the road.
COMRIF pays for two-thirds of such a project, meaning the town will have to foot its share of the $1.7-million price tag—roughly $562,000.
Brown noted the project could be completed in a single construction season, adding work likely would start in May.
“Council determined it was a high-priority area,” said Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig, adding COMRIF’s intake this year is focused on health and safety—and the underpass rehabilitation definitely fits into that criteria.
“As everybody knows, the subway is in dire need of refurbishment. You’ve seen the floods, you’ve seen the deteriorating condition,” he remarked.
The application for COMRIF funding must be made prior to Jan. 10.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•approved a report from Community Services manager George Bell to award the Children’s Complex janitorial tender to Tom Piotrowski for $28,000, and renew cleaning contracts with Florence Ogden at the library for $15,0022.30 and Sue Deslauriers at the Public Works office for $7,190;
•authorized the renewal of the letter of understanding for Dial-A-Ride service with North Air Services for a three-year term;
•authorized a report from Brown to ensure the town will meet its contractual obligations to plant flowers on the required plots in both cemeteries, and plant the same flowerbeds in the park areas as in 2004;
•approved a motion from the Economic Development Advisory Committee approving the final draft of the banner for the “Gateway” project;
•authorized staff to proceed with the implementation and application of a revised travel policy for administration, mayor, and council;
•declined an invitation to enter into a sponsorship agreement with the Borderland Thunder; and
•accepted the November, 2004 drinking water systems report.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
