City to spend $42M on roadwork and other upgrades

Details of coming improvements to roads, sidewalks, infrastructure and pedestrian bridges were released Tuesday.

Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can expect to dodge numerous construction projects this summer as the City of Thunder Bay undertakes $42 million worth of infrastructure improvements.

This year’s projects include road rehabilitation, sidewalk replacement, sewer and watermain repairs or replacements, and bridge and culvert renewal.

The city shared details of the planned work Tuesday, saying it was reminding motorists to reduce their speed, be alert, and watch for workers in construction zones.

Major thoroughfares included in the improvement program include:

• Balmoral Street between Cameron Street and the Neebing/McIntyre Floodway, including asphalt rehabilitation and a new multi-use trail. This project is already underway, and will be completed in late August. Lane closures are expected at various times.
• Arthur Street between Mountdale Avenue and James Street, including asphalt resurfacing and other repairs, resulting in lane closures and intersection closures to north-south traffic. Work is scheduled to start mid-to-late July, lasting three to four weeks.
• Harbour Expressway between Carrick Street and Fort William Road., including some resurfacing, resulting in rotating lane closures and traffic delays, starting late July for approximately three weeks.
• Memorial Avenue and Harbour Expressway intersection, where work is already underway and expected to be completed in late July. Partial lane closures continue, as do partial intersection closures overnight.
• Edward Street between Riverview Dr. and Victoria Ave., including resurfacing, starting late July/early August, resulting in the closure of that section for about three weeks.
• Simpson Street and Dease Street, including resurfacing and replacement of sewer/water infrastructure, resulting in full closure of Dease between Simpson and May Street in July, and the closure of Simpson between Dease and Rowand Street beginning in August.

The city noted in its announcement that scheduled dates are subject to change.

Details of these and multiple additional projects are available on the city’s website.

City officials have said Thunder Bay should be spending $32 million more per year than it’s currently spending, just to keep existing infrastructure in proper condition. – tbnewswatch.com

article website here

The sources of funding for these projects are never mentioned.  The article makes it sound like the City of Thunder Bay is paying 100% of the costs of these projects.  Is it true or are there other sources of funding such as the provincial government kicking in a few millions here and there?

I would love to know the entire cost to run the city.  A tally including all sources of funding that keeps the machine that is the City of Thunder Bay running.  We deserve to know that information.  Are we spending more than the municipal taxes take in?

Hopefully, none of the paving work ends up being done during late fall freezing temperatures.  Not that our high salaried residents of City Hall care about that.