MOUNT FOREST – A contentious road reconstruction project is set to begin this summer after lots of back and forth between residents and the township.
Approved at council meeting Monday night, Wellington North council has awarded Moorefield Excavating Limited an approximately $1.46 million tender to reconstruct John Street from Queen Street West (Hwy 89) to Waterloo Street and build a pedestrian crossover at Queen Street and Parkside Drive.
Anticipated to cost $1,455,184 excluding HST and including construction, engineering, permits, contingency and geotechnical services, the project falls in line with the township's 2025 Capital Budget which budgeted approximately $1.9 million for the project.
When Coun. Penny Renken asked about the project's anticipated timeline, manager of infrastructure and engineering Tammy Stevenson said the contractor has indicated they can start in the summer, with a completion date planned for the end of August for both projects.
Coun. Sherry Burke asked if there will be any additional public meetings or consultations, specifically with the John Street residents, to address past concerns with Tim Hortons-related traffic and tree removal.
Stevenson said a notice of project has been issued to John Street residents and another notice will be issued once staff have updated information from the contractor.
The reconstruction will see an 8.5-metre wide roadway constructed with a barrier curb, gutter and two through lanes of traffic that maintain the existing John Street access to Tim Hortons.
A 1.5 metre-wide sidewalk will be installed on the west side of the roadway adjacent to the curb. "Minimal" hydro pole conflicts and construction impacts on trees are anticipated.
More project information will be posted on the township's capital project page when it becomes available, said Stevenson.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program
