TIMMINS -- Timmins City Council decided to put major road construction project on hold after receiving only one bid for the job.
Major road construction planned for Algonquin Boulevard between Mattagami Boulevard South and Theriault Boulevard in Timmins is not going ahead this April.
Timmins council made the decision recently after receiving only one bid on the job, and it was two million dollars over the estimate.
Mayor George Pirie says the city needs to rethink its strategy for the project.
"This piece of the infrastructure with the amount of sewer and water lines beneath the surface has to be thought out; has to be done correctly and ... it has to be attractive for the out of town bidders to take part in it," said Pirie.
There are numerous businesses along Algonquin Blvd., which is part of Highway 101, which also connects the city with the mining and forestry sectors.
That's why Pirie says when it comes time to address how to go about reconstructing the connecting link, the city will have to consider all kinds of financing options such as toll roads, half-load restrictions and more investment from government and buy-in from businesses.
"We have logging trucks that roll through this town that we have absolutely no revenue from and they proceed to locations outside of our jurisdiction, and we can force them other ways. We can say use the bush roads that are south of us to get back over to the communities that you want to get to," said Pirie.
Officials with the Timmins Chamber of Commerce say they understand the position the city is in and they're willing to work with affected businesses on Algonquin Blvd.
"I know some have approached us on an individual basis, and certainly, we're empathetic and feel for them because it's going to be quite significant when it does start to happen. So, certainly, if we could be of support or offer some guidance, advocate on their behalf, we'll certainly do that," said Melanie Verrault, Vice-Chair of Timmins Chamber of Commerce.
The mayor says while the city plans out a new strategy, other neglected roads such as Airport and Laforest will get some badly needed attention.
