Work crews are expected to be back at the Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances this summer.

The town has awarded a contract worth more than $540 thousand to Thunder Bay Multi Trades.

The work includes rehabilitation of the expansion joints, fixing cracked and damaged concrete and replacing the metal railing system.

Transportation Superintendent Cody Vangel says traffic will be able to pass through during the work.

“It’s an expectation and a requirement to the contract that at least one lane of vehicular traffic to be opened and operating throughout construction, as well as one lane for pedestrian traffic as well,” says Vangel.

The town approved the project in this year’s capital budget by taking $500,000 in gas tax funds for the work.

Because the winning bid and the engineering work came in higher than expected, council approved another $70,000 in gas tax money to pay for the overages.

An open house is being planned in advance of the work so nearby property owners can get information and ask questions.

No date for that meeting has been announced.