The first stages of work to upgrade two Timmins bridges is starting today.
The bridges over the Mattagami River and Porcupine River are being rehabilitated as part of this year's Connecting Link work.
The bridges are the only two on the Connecting Link and both were built in the 1990s. The rehabilitation work includes replacing the asphalt, waterproofing, concrete sidewalk and barrier wall work, pedestrian railings, as well as structural steel and concrete remediation.
Earlier this year, work was done to prevent birds from nesting in the project areas. The contractor is mobilizing the work sites today and installing traffic controls, the City of Timmins announced. Grinding the old asphalt is expected to start on Thursday (May 9).
Miller Paving Ltd. is completing the $3.6 million contract to rehabilitate the two bridges.
RELATED: Connecting Link bridges being upgraded this year
Full road closures are not expected for the projects, but there will be lane closures and traffic delays.
The main Connecting Link work being done this year is completing work on Algonquin Boulevard through the downtown core.
The historic overpass has been demolished, and the road is closed from Balsam to Brunette.
The sidewalks on Algonquin Boulevard are open and blocked from the active construction area. There is also a pedestrian crossing at Pine Street.
The detour around the work is Brunette Road, Second Avenue and Mountjoy Street. The four-way stop intersections on Second Avenue at Balsam and Spruce are staying as is this year. There are also temporary stop lights that are flashing at Second and Brunette, which means it's working as a three-way stop.
For heavy truck traffic, the detour goes around the downtown core.
The route is Highway 655, Laforest Road, Airport Road, Lafleur and Shirley.
