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First phase of Penetanguishene-Midland trail five weeks behind schedule

Both weather and COVID-19 cited as reasons behind the delay, but officials expect first phase to be completed by October's end

Delays related to the pandemic and unusually rainy weather mean the multi-use trail’s first section connecting Midland and Penetanguishene won’t be completed this month as originally projected.

“The current projected date of substantial completion for phase 1 is October 30,” said Julie Scruton, transportation construction manager for the County of Simcoe, which is behind the project.

“The completion date has changed since the project restarted in the spring.  At that time, the expected substantial completion date was September 25. There has been a delay of approximately five weeks on this year’s portion of the construction.”

With construction now starting on phase two at the intersection of County Road 93 (CR 93) and Yonge St. in Midland Midland, Scruton said the first phase has seen both subcontractors and suppliers experiencing delays in scheduling labour and providing materials due to backlogs related to COVID-19.

She also noted that the summer months featured several major rain storms as well as extremely hot weather with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsuis that also wreaked havoc with construction.

“Additionally, there were unforeseen utility conflicts that necessitated minor redesigns and extra construction work in order to complete the multi-use-trail,” Scruton added.

The need for “Active Transportation facilities” along CR 93 was identified in the County of Simcoe’s Transportation Master Plan update (2014) with the objective of providing safe and efficient travel for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and other road-users alike.

And despite the phase 1 delays, the impact on the project’s overall budget has been minimal, according to Scruton.

“These are related to the increased cost of construction materials and equipment such as temporary concrete barriers and pumps associated with dewatering for the culvert replacement,” she said, noting that contract prices were increased in 2020 by an amount consistent with the consumer price index from 2019 to 2020.

“There have also been additional, but relatively minor, COVID-19 related costs for extra PPE and handwashing stations for construction staff.”

The first phase of the four-phase county project began last August.

The major components of this project are the construction of a three-metre wide paved multi-use active trail on the east side of County Road 93 and the replacement of the Columbus drain culvert (existing corregated steel pipe arch) under the road with a larger concrete box culvert including an extensive retaining wall.

Scruton said stage 2 of the box culvert replacement is now underway.

“The granular base layer has been placed and compacted for the length of the trail, south of the new concrete box culvert,” Scruton said.

“Construction of the trail, north of the new concrete box culvert is underway with the retaining wall being installed to support the new trail. Paving of the trail will be completed once the retaining wall is complete.”

Scruton said once stage 2 of the box culvert has been installed, the roadway will be reinstated with base asphalt and surface paving completed to allow for four lanes of traffic to resume.

“We anticipate the majority of construction on the multi-use active trail and concrete box culvert to be completed by late October,” she said, noting the trail’s first phase should be ready for users in late October with CR 93 fully open to four lanes of traffic at that time as well.

Here are some other key timelines and information on the other three phases.

Phase 2, which has already started, will run between Balm Beach Rd. E./Yonge St. and Lanigan Dr. This phase will also include signal improvement upgrades at the affected intersections along the highway.

Phase 3 will include the construction of a roundabout to improve traffic safety and efficiency at the intersection of CR 93 and Golf Link Rd/Vindin St.  As well, construction of a three-metre-wide asphalt surface, multi-use trail connecting phase 1 and 2 trails.

Phase 4 will continue the trail from Balm Beach Rd. E./Yonge St. to Hwy. 12.


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Andrew Philips

About the Author: Andrew Philips

Editor Andrew Philips is a multiple award-winning journalist whose writing has appeared in some of the country’s most respected news outlets. Originally from Midland, Philips returned to the area from Québec City a decade ago.
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