As discussed last summer, the reconstruction of Wellington was 'paused' as Transportation and ECS (or their contractor) found "unknown underground infrastructure." Despite promises to keep the neighbourhood informed of plans, there is been total silence for several months and both the BIA and the SLNA complained, vigorously! The word last year was that work would restart in spring 2022 but there was (and is) no sign of it. The SLNA wrote a very strong letter to the Mayor and Wong-Tam and just got the response below from the City official looking after the 'communications'.
"In response to your letter dated February 15, I can assure you that City staff are listening and aware of your interest and need for details about the completion of work on Wellington Street. We acknowledge that there has been a delay in us updating community members regarding the progress of this project and start date. In the past several months, staff have been working on a detailed review of the technical drawings with Toronto Hydro in an effort to resolve the underground conflicts identified last year that delayed construction. Unfortunately during this time there was very little to report as technical details were worked out.
I am happy to report that we have just recently resolved the details for the technical drawings and have re-engaged our contractor about the scheduling and costs for the work to continue. We are now in a better place to provide an update about the status of this project. As you mentioned in you communication Councillor Wong-Tam has convened a meeting on February 28th with key stakeholders and project staff to provide an update. We do understand that during the winter months we were unable to provide a clear path to a restart date and we do recognize that this has been frustrating for the community.
Staff are currently in final discussions with our contractor and will speak in further detail on February 28th about the restart date and communication lines. Please let myself or Councillor Wong-Tam's office know if there are any specific items or questions you would like added to the agenda of that meeting so our team will be prepared to provide a response."
The "Fiasco on Wellington" MAY be drawing to a close and the street MAY be completed. Time will tell. (Council asked the Auditor General to look at how this, and other, projects are mismanaged; I understand the AG is taking this up and it will be VERY interesting to see what they find about whose fault it was and how much the delay cost the City (i.e. "us"). (The costs for the restaurants, stores and neighbours are unknown.)
