Fort Frances council votes down by-law for Scott Street improvements
Some members of Fort Frances council are not happy with the progress being made on two road projects.
Improvements on Scott Street and Third Street West will now stretch into next year.
That led the council to reject a by-law, necessary for finalizing the awarding of a contract for another section of Scott Street to the contractor involved with the other two projects.
Councillor John McTaggart says he is disappointed that Third Street West, a major transportation artery in Fort Frances, will be shut down again in 2026.
“I’m not happy with their performance this year, and I just can’t in good conscience award a tender for next year,” says McTaggart.
Town council in August had awarded the tender to Bay City Contracting.
Operations and Facilities Manager Travis Rob says the company informed the town days after that council meeting that the Scott Street and Third Street projects would not be finished this year.
Both projects were scheduled to wrap up by September 19th.
Rob admits both projects have had some challenges that the contractor had to contend with.
Councillor Steve Maki is also concerned with giving the company another contract.
“They can’t seem to finish a job on time, and we still have one month to go,” says Maki.
“They’re saying that they can’t get this year’s done. What’s to say they’re going to get the rest of this year and next year done by the end of next year? It isn’t going to happen, in my opinion. So why are we looking at them again?”
Council is expected to revisit the issue at their next meeting.
In a report to council, Rob indicates that Bay City intends to complete work on Third Street up to Cornwall Avenue, allowing the road to reopen in October, and returned to finish off the project next spring.
On Scott, the work will be completed up to Frenette Avenue, with the section of Frenette and Mosher being completed next year.
It is expected both roads will reopen to traffic in late October before they are shut down again when work resumes.
