Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Town of Alliston has decided to extend a road closure at a major construction project due to material supply issues, construction delays “and the current heightened concerns of traffic through construction sites.”
According to a statement released Tuesday, a section of Sideroad 10 that was expected to reopen Sept. 2 between Highway 89 and Peacock Trail will remain closed until at least Sept. 16.
“Given the recent unfortunate incident in a neighbouring municipality and heightened concerns of traffic through construction sites, the road closed will remain closed for an additional two weeks to complete the construction safely and extend the road closure to September 16, 2022,” town staff said in a statement.
“Treetops Boulevard access from Sideroad 10 is fully open for traffic with a secondary access at Kennedy Blvd. from 14th Line and both accesses will remain open at all times. All current detour routes and haul route as defined in the agreement will remain in effect until the construction is complete.”
Six young adults were killed on Aug. 27 at a major road construction site in Barrie, on McKay Road. The friends were reported missing and were discovered by a Barrie police officer at around 2 a.m.
McKay Road is under construction, with new sanitary sewer and water main installations. Contractor, Condrain Group, has declined to comment due to the ongoing investigation.
The project is the first phase of infrastructure expansion to support development north and south of McKay Road. Water and wastewater service will be extended south from Salem Road along Veterans Drive, then west along McKay Road, the city’s project website says.
Work started last spring on a new sanitary sewer along McKay Road and the first of five tunnelling shafts has been built. “Motorists are reminded that there is no access through the road closure or work zone,” the city’s website says.
The design-bid-build project’s team is made up of the City of Barrie, designer Schaeffers Consulting Engineers and a builder (Salem Landowners Group with the DG Group).
Community members continue to question if the safety precautions in place at the McKay Road construction site were adequate.
12th Line Bridge 12004 replacement
The Town of New Tecumseth has recently awarded the “12th Line Bridge 12004 Replacement” contract to Alexman Contracting Inc. The Ainley Group has been retained to provide contract administration and inspection services for this project on behalf of the Town.
This contract is for the replacement of the 12th Line Bridge No. 12004 on Innisfil Road at Innisfil Creek, approximately 400 m. east of Sideroad 10. In addition to the full bridge replacement, the works also include road reconstruction at the bridge approaches, slope flattening, stabilization of the creek bank southwest of the bridge, and site restoration.
Work is to begin during the week of Sept. 12, 2022 with completion of the project anticipated by Aug. 25, 2023. Work is expected to continue right through the winter with a possible shutdown in the spring (March to April) due to the seasonal load restrictions on local roads.
Due to the nature of the project 12th Line will be closed to through traffic between Sideroad 10 and Sideroad 15. Local access will be maintained throughout construction. Further notices will be provided to the impacted property owners on 12th Line prior to full closure.
“Construction and advisory signs will be erected prior to construction,” a statement says. “We advise that when driving or walking around the construction work zone, that you follow and obey all construction signage for your safety and for the safety of the workers.”