Reconstruction of the Portage Avenue underpass will resume Monday for roughly a 25-week construction period, and with it will be some restrictions on vehicle access.
Starting Tuesday (June 10), Portage Avenue from Third Street East to Fifth Street East will be restricted to emergency vehicle traffic only from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday and on Fridays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for the first seven weeks of construction, Fort Frances Fire Chief Gerry Armstrong said this morning.
During these times, public vehicular traffic will not have access through the underpass and must use the McIrvine Road crossing instead.
One lane of the underpass will be open from 8 p.m.-9 a.m. on Sunday to Thursday, and from 4 p.m. on Friday to 9 a.m. on Sunday for that seven-week period.
A pedestrian walkway will be available and clearly marked during construction, and all pedestrians are encouraged to use it.
Using Canadian National Railway property to cross from the north side to the south side of the tracks is dangerous, and will be considered a trespass by the CNR.
This daily road closure is necessary to protect the health and safety of the public during the removal and installation of temporary sheet piling.
In addition, a similar daily traffic restriction will be needed for a two-week period in the fall to remove the temporary sheet piling behind the newly-constructed retaining wall, Chief Armstrong said.
He stressed the town wants the public to be well-informed of these traffic restrictions, and to be confident all emergency service agencies are aware of the situation and have taken the appropriate steps to ensure continuous emergency services can be provided to the north end of Fort Frances during this time.
These steps include an established protocol to allow emergency vehicles access through the construction zone during the daily road shutdown period, and alternate provisions to ensure access is available in the event the primary route is unavailable.
The public is being asked for its co-operation in ensuring that public safety, and reliable access for emergency vehicles, is maintained during the construction period.
The Town of Fort Frances would like to thank citizens in advance for their co-operation and understanding during the time when underpass access is restricted to emergency vehicular traffic only.
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