If you think that morning traffic snarl between the merge of Highways 11/17 and the Seymour Street intersection is a pain for commuters, just wait until next year.
At last Tuesday’s regular meeting, North Bay City Council firmed up the details of the upcoming makeover of the busy south-end intersection.
North Bay City Council has awarded Teranorth Construction & Engineering Limited a $6.5 million contract for the Seymour Street construction project, plus additional increases to two consulting companies, with one receiving $100,000 and the other $$820,000.
Work is expected to begin this season, continue through the 2019 construction season, and likely into 2020, according to committee chair Tanya Vrebosch.
A Report to Council outlines the cost-sharing agreement between the City of North Bay and the MTO. The recommended improvements at the Highway 11/17 and Seymour Street intersection include southbound dual left turn lanes and westbound dual left-turn lanes, along with a dedicated westbound right turn lane.
The report also notes that, “In the winter of 2018, due to a new development on the southwest corner of the intersection, an additional eastbound dual left turn lane was added to the scope of work,” in reference to the gas station, restaurant and convenience store under construction on the former Chamber of Commerce lands where the Dionne Quints Home Museum and RV dumping station were once located. The City of North Bay sold the land to the developers for $1.68 million in 2017.
The report notes: “This project currently has a budget of $7,962,433 which includes anticipated MTO contributions of $4,232,432. Due to the extent of work required a total of $966,485 will need to be transferred from other projects to cover the balance of the project costs including the remainder of the contract price, consulting fees, non-rebated HST and provide a small contingency for the overall project…”
The MTO has agreed to a 50/50 cost-sharing agreement which includes design, tender, construction, contract administration and contingency. Prior to receiving any of MTO’s share, the agreement had to be approved by North Bay City Council. With that now accomplished, work on the project will begin before the snow falls.
