No one said connecting link reconstruction would be easy.
Blasting has begun, to remove bedrock near the surface to allow the realignment of underground piping. You might not even notice that. City of Timmins CAO Dave Landers says it’s not nearly as powerful as blasting in the Hollinger open pit.
“It’s a very controlled and contained blast site. As the work progresses, the blasting will progress as well,” he notes.
However, a water shutoff overnight Monday affected several businesses – including two coffee shops– and the Preston Place apartment building. Landers says it lasted longer than anticipated, until late morning.
“Like everything else, the existing infrastructure is so old, trying to open and close valves is not that easy,” the CAO explains. “So it presents additional problems for the constructor, as I understand it.”
Another couple of shutoffs are expected in the next couple days.