THUNDER BAY – Motorists can expect a smoother ride on Thunder Bay-area highways.
The Ministry of Transportation will spend nearly $4.8 million this summer to maintain sections of highways 11, 17, and 61 in the area, including the stretch known as the Thunder Bay Expressway that winds through the city.
Crews will use hot-in-place asphalt recycling to rehabilitate a 17-kilometre stretch of the highways, starting 1.3 kilometres north of Broadway Avenue and proceeding northward.
The work is anticipated for completion in the fall, but is weather dependent, said an MTO spokesperson.
Most of the work will take place at night, between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimize disruptions, the ministry said.
The contract is being completed by Pioneer Construction Inc. at a value of $4.78 million.
Using the hot-in-place recycling method, existing pavement is preheated, removed by scarification, and remixed with a small quantity of new asphalt material. It’s meant to extend the life of the pavement and improve its smoothness.
“Due to the length of the equipment and complexities around traffic staging, the intersections are excluded from this project but are planned to be completed using conventual paving in an upcoming project,” the ministry said in a statement.
