With the construction project at the Portage Avenue underpass set to start on Tuesday (May 22), Fort Frances Emergency Services wants to assure local residents that emergency response to the north end of town will not be significantly impacted.
In a joint meeting with CN Police, the OPP, ambulance, and fire service personnel, the Public Works department fully outlined the construction criteria related to the project at the Portage Avenue underpass.
“Contingency plans have been developed to maintain a quick, effective, response to emergency situations,” said Fort Frances Fire Chief Gerry Armstrong, who also is the Emergency Services co-ordinator.
“Community resources, working in conjunction with the contractor, have developed a response plan to mitigate potential delays,” he noted.
This includes the use of electronic switching capability for the traffic control lights, as well as use of the Victoria Avenue crossing for emergency vehicle traffic if the underpass is temporarily closed.
“We would ask for the public’s co-operation in ensuring that they obey any traffic signals or flag persons that are active at the site, and to use the McIrvine Road crossing as much as possible during the construction period to minimize traffic congestion,” said Chief Armstrong.
As far as pedestrian traffic goes, CN Police Cst. Pete LeDrew said this morning that the public should realize that just as there will always be one lane of vehicle traffic open on Portage Avenue for the duration of the project, there also will always be one pedestrian walkway open.
As such, there will be no reason for anyone to trespass on CN property when walking back and forth from the north end of town.
“My concern is that trespassing will increase east of the construction zone,” he noted.
“I’m encouraging people to still utilize the walkway at the underpass, and want to let them know it will be a safe environment to walk through as opposed to walking through trains and whatnot.
“I can’t stress enough the fact a lot of people are using the pedestrian walkway, and I encourage them to continue doing that,” added Cst. LeDrew.
“With the construction, the patrols will increase in that particular area to make sure people aren’t climbing through trains and trespassing.”
Cst. LeDrew also noted Victoria Avenue is an emergency crossing only, and it, along with the Armit Avenue one, shouldn’t be used anyway as they aren’t proper crossings—they have line-of-sight issues and it’s difficult to see if trains are coming.
“I just don’t want to see anybody getting hurt this summer,” he said. “The main thing is to be careful.”
If specific information is required related to the town’s emergency response plans, contact Armstrong at 274-9841.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
