Repairs to railway crossing have drivers seeking alternate routes

Bill Atwood Observer Staff

Morrison, Timothy “Tim”

Passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023 at his residence in Elmira at the age of 59 years. Dear son of G. Neil Morrison and the late Susan (2003). Brother of Jamie and Allison, Rob Morrison and Monica Harley. Uncle of Jenette, Thomas; and Clare. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Elmira Union Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira.

❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Obituary

PEOPLE LOOKING TO MAKE THEIR way north of St. Jacobs, to Elmira or points beyond, were scrambling for alternative routes this week with the closure of Arthur Street at the railway crossing. That main northsouth corridor was out of service to allow for repairs to the road surface at the crossing itself. After years of disrepair, the region opted to close Arthur Street between Listowel Road and Sawmill Road for work being done by CN Rail. Repairs are expected to be done by Friday.

The work includes removal of the existing crossing, installation of a new crossing with concrete panels, and additional road work adjacent to the crossing.

Martin, Eileen

Passed into the presence of her Lord, surrounded by her family at Health Sciences North, Sudbury on Monday, April 24, 2023 at the age of 74 years. Cherished wife of Orleon Martin. Dear mother of Gary and Suanne, Christine and Ruben Guevara, Ron and Edith, David and Nichole, Steve and Katrina, Connie and Luke Erb, Victor and Sherri, Tim and Sara. Loving grandmother of Ted (Janae), Ben, Caleb, Danielle, Joshua, Mark; Jud (Janelle), Kirk (Janita), Taylor (Lori), Tenika, Nick, Nevin, Jeniva; Todd, Chenia, Raquel, Lysanna, Toby, Addison; Michael, Rebecca, Matthew, Jamie, Isaiah; Kirby, Shayna, Nikita, Anika, Casey, Shadrick; Taregan, Rayna, Talia, Quinn, Ava; Kaley, Zoe, Spencer, Lakelyn, Paxton, Griffin; Adam. Great-grandmother of Kolby, Hazel; Malik, and Cruz. Sister and sister-in-law of Earl (Lena), Gordon (Edna), Mary Martin, John Metzger, Leonard (Mildred), and Merle (Fern). Eileen will be lovingly remembered by her many nieces, nephews and their families. Predeceased by her parents Clayton and Susanna (Shoemaker) Martin, son Kirby (1998), daughterin-law Beverly, brothers Abner and Orvie, and sister Florence. Visitation will take place on Thursday, April 27, 2023 and on Friday, April 28, 2023 from 5-8 p.m. at Woodlawn Mennonite Fellowship, 6449 Wellington County Rd. 11, Dorking. Funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Woodlawn Mennonite Fellowship. Interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Christian Aid Ministries would be appreciated and may be made through the Dreisinger Funeral Home.

❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com ing, and from the south up to the railway crossing, but not through, the region stated in a release planned ahead to make signal timing changes at critical intersections to better accommodate the extra traffic volumes, Spencer said.

Although Arthur Street sees heavy traffic as a main road between Woolwich and Waterloo, the technical nature of the work required full closure of the crossing, said Darryl Spencer, manager of transportation engineering with the region.

“Part of the work involves the replacement of the railroad with a one-piece engineered section of track, and for that reason, the full crossing needs to be closed. There is also fairly extensive pavement work at and adjacent to the crossing that is required,” Spencer said.

While many drivers choose to use the shoulder of the road while crossing the track that will no longer be required, Spencer noted. The cost to the region is minimal, he added.

“The majority of the costs are covered through the region’s freight maintenance agreement with CN Rail. Outside of this, the region is only paying for the roadway detour costs, which is around $1,500.”

Arthur Street can be accessed from the north down to the railway cross -

Commuters will need to find alternative routes such as Church Street, Line 86 to Northfield Drive to Sawmill Road. As staff is aware there will be increased traffic along the alternative routes, they

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The region is also looking to leverage the opportunity to conduct some roadway asphalt work immediately adjacent to the crossing, Spencer said. While the cost has not yet been confirmed, it is included in the region’s approved transportation capital program.