Residents have grown frustrated with a provincial highway and culvert rehabilitation project occurring at Highway 48 and Main Street, as construction progress has halted while traffic and congestion woes continue.
The project, managed by Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO), is comprehensive in scope and includes the following:
Relocation of an existing box culvert
Installation of a new culvert to divert Little Rouge Creek flow
Relocation of a municipal watermain to accommodate the new culvert
Updates to electrical infrastructure
Installation of new guide rails, curbs, and sidewalks
Repaving of the roadway
Installation of one new culvert has already occurred, and a temporary watermain has been constructed; however, challenges with watermain work have resulted in a temporary deferment of the project.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances and difficulties encountered locating and connecting to the existing underground watermain, this project has been delayed,” MTO told Bullet Point News in correspondence through MPP Calandra’s office.
“We are currently finalizing our re-design and the contractor will be returning to the site shortly,” the Ministry added.
MTO also recognizes the poor intersection functionality and is in the final approval stages for changes aimed at improving traffic flow and signage. Implementation is expected by the end of this month.
Reopening of the intersection was originally planned for September 30, however, completion of the project is now expected by the end of 2023.
“Once complete, this intersection will see extended service life of the pavement and culverts resulting in the more efficient movement of traffic through the area,” MTO noted in their comments to us.
