Motorists urged to drive safely near Biggings Avenue road work

Motorists are being asked to drive with caution as they pass road reconstruction work on Biggings Avenue, an old narrow street between Queen Street East and Wellington Street East.

“We’re just asking people to exercise patience with us, to slow down in traffic, especially on Wellington. There’ve been a lot of people driving fast, hitting our barrels and knocking over our signs,” said Eldon Warren, an EllisDon payloader operator speaking to SooToday.

“It’s kind of scary when you’ve got labourers out there backing trucks up and sometimes cars are flying by. If they’re hitting barrels they might hit a pedestrian,” Warren said.

Fortunately no one has been injured and no equipment has been damaged.

Warren said the Biggings Avenue reconstruction crew, mostly Sault and area employees working for Toronto-based contracting giant EllisDon, are enthusiastic about the massive project as they dig deep to lay down new pipes before the road gets completely resurfaced. 

“It’s a really good job. It’s moving smoothly,” said Chris "Bunz" Tegosh, who along with brother Reg "Moose" Tegosh have more than 20 years of pipe laying experience.

“This is definitely an awesome job to be on. All the guys here wanted to be a part of this job. A lot of companies didn’t want to have this job but we wanted this challenge,” said Warren, of reconstructing the narrow street.

As SooToday previously reported, EllisDon won the $4.5-million contract to reconstruct Biggings Avenue.

Work began in mid-May after crews experienced some supply chain issues.

The affected portion of Biggings Avenue is scheduled to be closed until Nov. 30.

“The holes we’re digging are right up to people’s foundations," Warren said. "Some people’s porches are hanging over our holes."

Regardless, the street’s residents appear to be taking it all in good stride.

“They’re great people. Everybody’s friendly, giving us cookies and water. We have a good relationship with all the people on this street,” Warren said.

Paths are provided for Biggings Avenue residents to get to and from their homes, their vehicles parked within barriers along Queen Street East and Wellington Street East.

“Be patient with us because soon you’re going to see a very beautiful road done. It’s so small. It reminds me of a European street. When it’s done it’s going to be beautiful,” Warren said.