On track to be ready for traffic late this year (photos)

By this time next year, Sault Ste. Marie motorists will be using a new section of roadway in north part of the city.

The Pine Street extension between Northern Avenue East (photo looks north from intersection with Pine Street) and the Second Line East bypass is expected to open by late fall 2012, says Don Elliott, the City’s director of engineering services.

Traffic signals are being installed at the Northern-Pine intersection.

Elliott says the lights won’t be activated until the new link is finished.

Other new signals will control traffic where Pine and the bypass meet.

Site work began last February when trees were removed from an area that used to serve as part of Sault College’s woodlot.

Avery Construction Limited won the Pine Street contract with a bid of $2,185,665.

The project includes sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water main construction.

Elliott says the bypass's grade angle will be reduced to facilitate traffic flow.

The extension is expected to ease congestion on Great Northern Road between Northern Avenue and the Second Line.