MANITOWANING—The much-anticipated work to Cardwell Street, once voted Ontario’s worst road, and the only link to Manitoulin’s largest community of Wikwemikong is well underway, but the hoped for July 15 deadline has been pushed back, just slightly.
Assiginack clerk-treasurer Alton Hobbs explained that construction crews were pushing for a July 15 deadline but due to the relocation of the tri-intersection of Cardwell, Meredith and Arthur Streets and the subsequent relocation of the Arthur Street hydro poles by Hydro One, it’s now looking like a July 25 end date, before the start of the Wikwemikong Cultural Festival.
Mr. Hobbs explained that the holdup stems from Hydro One not being able to source replacement hydro poles until next week. When asked by council at a June meeting whether a subcontractor could replace the poles, staff learned that they could not, as only Hydro One itself could do the work as there are other utilities attached to those same poles.
Along with the relocation of the tri-intersection, over 30 culverts have been replaced from the Wikwemikong boundary to Highway 6, as well as the road being resurfaced.
