The Mayor of Laurentian Valley hopes to see progress on Highway 148.
It’s a project that’s been several years in the making. An environmental study was published in 2018 and four years later construction still hasn’t started.
Laurentian Valley Mayor Steve Bennett says they’ve had some challenges and delays dealing with the MTO knowing that a new set of lights at the Drive-In Road intersection is so important to local residents.
Bennett hopes to see work move ahead sooner rather than later.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is planning major work along Highway 148 from approximately 200m west of Angus Campbell Drive in the City of Pembroke to approximately 300m east of the Greenwood Road intersection.
The work will address poor pavement quality, intersection improvements, pedestrian and cycling safety enhancements, highway drainage and modifications to existing access points.
Below is a scope of the work planned as shown on hwy148.ca.
Highway 148 between Angus Campbell Drive and Drive In Road:
- Widen to provide a continuous Two-Way Left-Turn Lane;
- Urbanize the cross-section including installation of a barrier curb with gutter and storm sewer upgrades;
- Install Traffic Signals at the Highway 148/ Drive-In Road intersection including the addition of turning lanes;
- Potential for sidewalk installation between the City of Pembroke limits and Angus Campbell Drive subject to construction and operational funding agreements with the City of Pembroke; and
- Potential for sidewalk installation between Angus Campbell Drive and Drive-In Road subject to construction and operational funding agreements with the Township of Laurentian Valley. However, the Township of Laurentian Valley has not currently agreed to fund this work.
Highway 148 between Drive In Road and Greenwood Road:
- Maintain a two-lane rural cross-section. Rehabilitate the existing pavement and provide 2.5 m wide paved shoulders;
- Revise the Greenwood Road intersection by modifying the westbound right-turn channel and extending the merge lane;
- Add an additional southbound lane to bypass left turning vehicles onto Old Mill Road; and
- Modifications to existing access points.
An event was held on November 3rd at the Best Western in Pembroke to look at the design, get public input and describe the next steps.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
