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Timmins city councillor Rick Dubeau is questioning the amount of asphalt being used in construction on the Connecting Link.

As part of a letter received via email, he asks why the stretch is using 40% more asphalt than Highway 11—a road that has more traffic volume—after a former MTO employee got in contact with him on the subject.

“The consultant stated this would be done for approximately 8 kms of the connecting link,” he stated, “The original estimate by city staff and the consultant was that it would cost $4.5 million to resurface between 3 and 4kms.  This is detailed in the application for funding to the province.”

The city is using 225mm of asphalt, while the MTO uses 140mm.

He adds the province approved $3 million to do 3-4 kilometres.  Timmins is doing just 1.4 of it this year due to cost restraints.

Dubeau wonders if the city would be able to reapply for funding for the portion that’s already been applied for, but not worked on.

Ted Archuticz, the consulting engineer with AECOM, says it’s a new approach and is being done in parts of Southern Ontario.

More discussion is sure to come Monday night, as Mayor Steve Black has placed a “Connecting Link” item on the agenda.

Filed under: Local News