Construction to resume Monday on site of fatality

Construction at the intersection of Elgin and Beech streets is scheduled to resume Monday, nearly a week after a 58-year-old woman was killed when she was struck by a construction grader at the site.

“They'll be resuming in the most respectful and measured manner possible,” said Kevin Fowke, the City of Greater Sudbury's interim chief administrative officer (CAO).

Fowke said the city received several complaints from citizens regarding the accessibility around the site. But at the time of his interview with NorthernLife.ca, he could not confirm the exact number of complaints the city received.

According to witness accounts to NorthernLife.ca. the victim used a walker and struggled to cross the street at the construction site due to loose gravel.

Greater Sudbury Police and the Ministry of Labour are both investigating the woman's death and the latter could make recommendations to the city and contractor – Interpaving Limited – to ensure similar tragedies to no re-occur in the future.

But Fowke said in the case of city construction projects, the responsibility for health and safety rests primarily with the contractor.

The city employs 13 permanent field inspectors – and three seasonal inspectors – but Fowke said their main role is to ensure the contractor sticks to the terms of its contract with the city, and builds the infrastructure to the expected level of quality.

“Our construction services folks that are there are really not meant to be sort of mini health and safety inspectors,” he said. “That accountability rests with the constructor. They've got health and safety people that work for their organization and we want to support them in whatever way we can.”

When the city does receive complaints from the public – such as those related to accessibility and the Elgin and Beech construction site – it relays those to the contractor, who is responsible to make the appropriate changes.

The mayor's office is expected to meet with business owners in the affected area next week, Fowke said.
The request for a meeting was made before Wednesday's tragedy, and centred around ongoing delays to the construction work – which started in May – and the impact it has had on the local businesses.

Fowke said he was not yet aware of a set date or agenda for the meeting.