North Bay Council has given a green light to the planned roadwork in the region of the upcoming Cascades Casino North Bay. Tatham Engineering Ltd. has been rewarded the contract for the upcoming project that will transform the Lakeshore and Pinewood Park drives intersection. This will optimize the traffic flow in the region once the casino venue commences operation.
For quite a while, the City of North Bay has been working on the most comprehensive roadwork project that could make locals’ lives easier. The Lakeshore Drive and Pinewood Park Drive area of the city is projected to become a much more popular side in the upcoming years, as development in the region continues. Gateway Casinos & Entertainment is working on its casino complex.
Roadworks Project
The CA$30.1-million new project is still in its construction phase but the preparation for the optimized road leading to it should commence in a timely manner. The optimization will aim to facilitate traffic to and fro the casino complex. This would make it possible for the casino patrons to travel around without putting pressure on traffic in the area and create traffic jams at rush hour.
Improvements are about to cover a portion of the road between Ferris Drive and past Decaire Road, making it possible for the individuals to travel to Cascades Casino North Bay without making life harder for the people in the area. It could be recalled that the month of April witnessed the City Council is seeking an expert that could reshape the area.
Now it is clear that Tatham Engineering Ltd. will have to do the job. The contract itself amounts to CA$222,145 including harmonized sales tax. A preliminary design will have to be introduced in the foreseeable future once the company is ready with it. This will make the entire project more clear to the council members and some changes could be introduced.
Optimized Traffic
It should be noted that the renovations would cover the area between Ferris Drive and about one kilometer south of Decaire Road. Locals will also be happy to find out that the new project considers the introduction of a new pedestrian and bicycle network, in order to optimize their route in the area.
The project received the approval of council members and some of them expressed their position. Coun. Mike Anthony pointed out that the project could see a delay, as the unprecedented situation has taken its toll on the community and the province as a whole. He stated that the challenges are yet to come in the foreseeable future, as the impact begins to be felt. Coun. Mark King made it clear that the citizens should not be asked to pay the project in its entirety.
At the moment, the city does not have the mechanism to ask a neighboring community for financial support. The future casino area is expected to become even busier, as a Four Points by Sheraton hotel could be built right next to it. Back in May, Gagandeep Dhinsa, chief risk officer for Brampton-based BVD Petroleum expressed hope the CA$15-million project could see the start of construction by the end of this year.
