Underpass update

The construction of an underpass between Labrador City and Wabush is proceeding on schedule.

That's the word from the Minister of Transportation and Works in response to Labrador City's mayor Janice Barnes.

The mayor had written Minister Tom Hedderson early in April requesting information on the status of the project.

"The Bloom Lake Railway Company, through its Consulting Engineering Firm, has completed the design and a subsequent review by my engineering staff has been completed," Hedderson said in his correspondence. "It is expected that work will be started in the near future with completion scheduled for August 2011."

Hedderson said, because the underpass will be situated just off the existing highway, his department feels there will be minimal impact to the travelling public during the construction process.

As any roadway construction, minor delays, he said, are to be expected during the transition between the current roadway and the realigned roadway near project completion.

In last Wednesday's council meeting-after the town manager read the letter from the minister-Deputy Mayor Karen Oldford expressed some concerns she has around the underpass project.

"I think the public needs to be informed of what the plans are," she said. "That road is well travelled by the people of Labrador City and Wabush. There have been overtures (over the years) of possibly putting trail ways through there to allow communication on foot, bike etc. to both communities. With an underpass, we don't know if that is being appropriated or not because we haven't had any input; yet it's very far along in its development."

Oldford suggested the Town invite Consolidated Thompson to meet with Council and discuss some of the municipal concerns associated with the underpass.

The deputy mayor said she has gotten feedback from the public expressing concern or the impact this will have given it's a major change to a very busy section of highway.

This prompted more discussion around the table in last week's council meeting. Concerns were also raised surrounding advance-warning signs of railway crossings on the highway towards Fermont, as well as the crossing on the Tamarack Golf Club road.

"It may be a good idea to have some advance warning signs on the golf club road as well as on the highway," Councillor Peter Reccord suggested. "When you come around the turn the track is right there."

Nick McGrath added that not only is the crossing situated immediately after a turn, but the turn was elevated as well making it a higher risk area.

Councillors all agreed it was time to sit and talk with Consolidated Thompson.