THUNDER BAY – A bit of traffic chaos will greet students and staff returning to Confederation College next month.
On Monday, Phase 1 of a scheduled $2.35-million rehabilitation of the Nakina and Atikokan Drive bridge is set to begin, a project that will close the two streets to through traffic until Dec. 15. The second phase of the project will be completed next summer.
Ken Adams, vice-president of college services, said the work had to be done to preserve 50-year-old span, the main entrance to the school, and extend its life an additional 25 years.
“We’re taking off the top deck and completely replacing that,” he said, “as well as expansion joints, waterproofing and drainage. We will then repave and then also look at changing some of the approaches.
“At the same time we’re looking at replacing railings and lighting, so it’s going to be a complete rehab of the bridge.”
The work means many students and staff will have to alter their routes to school each day.
“The bridge will be totally closed to all traffic. What we’re doing is using the Balmoral Street entrance for access to the Shuniah Building and the William Street entrance for entrance to the MacIntyre Building,” Adams said.
“At this point in time the buses will redirected to our Sibley Hall residence, so there will be pick-up and drop-off at that location.”
Adams added they’ve made arrangements with Thunder Bay Transit to provide shuttles to and from the drop-off point, important given the work won’t likely wrap up before the arrival of winter weather.
Adams said those traveling to the college should expect delays, especially in the early days of the project, and should give themselves additional travel time to compensate.
Asked why the work wasn’t starting until two weeks before students were set to return to campus, Adams said they didn’t receive funding approval from the province until March and the tenders didn’t close until Aug. 1.
Parking spaces near the front of the school, will also be off limits during construction and Adams said the school won’t be issuing parking tickets until Sept. 17 while people get used to the changes. All drop-offs at the Shuniah Building must take place on the west side of the building.
