Sudbury's construction season ramps up

Construction season is about to get busier in Sudbury, Ont., as crews prepare to start major road projects.

Rehabilitation work on the existing two-lane section ofMunicipal Road 35 betweenChelmsfordandAzildais expected to begin, even though the city is waiting for provincial and federal dollars to four-lane the roadway.

• Sudbury councillors back petition to widen Municipal Road 35 between Azilda, Chelmsford

Tony Cecutti, manager of infrastructure services with the city, said the refurbished two-lane section is designed to make room for more lanes in case federal and provincial dollars come through.

"We've designed the cross section of this road so that if there's additional funding that becomes available we can widen that roadway without reconstructing the portion we're building this year and next year," Cecutti said.

"So there's no throw away money to speak of."

Repairs on Lorne Streetbetween Martindale Road and Gutcher Avenueare also expected to begin in the coming weeks.

• Rehabilitation work proposed for Lorne Street in Sudbury

The work will include more lighting and raised bike lanes on what the Canadian Automobile Association has dubbed one of the province's worst roads.

"On the north side, I believe it's a raised curb. So in the boulevard between the sidewalks and the travel portion of the roadway," Cecutti said.

"On the south side, it's an extended asphalt boulevard on the same level as the travelling roadway portion."

Work is also expected to start soon on the Maley Drive extension between Falconbridge Highway and Notre Dame Avenue.

A map of Sudbury's construction projects for 2016 can be found here.