Underpass Closure Extended

The closure of the Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances has been extended.

The roadway was to open at 4 p.m. today, but the town of Fort Frances says fears soft soils encountered during this week's excavation and the proximity of the water table could result in those soils turning to mud and making the area inaccessible if vehicles were allowed to pass through at this time.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the extended closure will allow the contractor to complete the installation of concrete along the west lane.

It's forecast that task will take about two weeks to complete and 7 days to let the concrete cure before traffic is permitted through the underpass.