3D Printed Homes May Be The Answer To Peterborough's Housing Crisis As Habitat For Humanity Partners With Local 3D Construction Company

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region has partnered with local 3D construction builder Cormor Inc. in hopes to create affordable homes and combat the housing crisis in Peterborough.

The recent completion of a multi-unit condo building by Habitat for Humanity on Leahy’s Lane in Peterborough enabled 41 families to move into their forever homes. File photo.

According to a release by Habitat for Humanity, residential homes and multi-unit dwellings constructed through 3D print technology are more durable, sustainable, affordable, and quicker to build, providing families with a safe and stable home for generations to come.

“At a period when the housing crisis is at an all-time high, we are excited about this unique new type of construction that will allow us to build faster, save more money, and produce much less construction waste going into the landfill, keeping our environmental footprint in front of mind,” said Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region CEO, Susan Zambonin.

Habitat construction projects in partnership with Cormor are slated to begin in 2023 and Habitat and Cormor are looking for innovative land developers/owners in the region that want to collaborate on getting more homeowners into their decent and affordable homes.

“We are thrilled about this dynamic partnership with the team at Habitat for Humanity and look forward to showcasing this innovative new form of construction/design,” said Dwight Corcoran, CEO of Cormor. "There is a local, national and global housing crisis, and our goal is to be a Canadian leader in demonstrating how this 3D technology will redefine affordable living. It will also give these families peace of mind knowing their 3D homes are built to withstand severe and unpredictable storms that are more prevalent in this era of climate change.”

With Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region’s assistance, homeowner families can achieve the stability, strength, and self-reliance they need to build better lives. Families are empowered to overcome the barriers that so often stand between their families and better, healthier, more financially stable lives.

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Construction At Scott Mills Damn Nearing Completion

The project to replace the Scotts Mills Dam at Lock 19 in Peterborough has reached a significant milestone: all work on the new dam below the waterline is now complete.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

The remaining work includes the placement of decking and railings on the dam, log lifter rails on the remaining sluices, and wall work on the east bank of the river adjacent to the dam.

Following removal of the cofferdams and trestle bridge, grading and landscaping of the east access and construction laydown area will occur.

The remaining construction activities will involve using a vibration attachment to remove steel piles from the existing cofferdam and bridge structure and are expected to continue for the next few months. T

he grading and landscaping will involve large equipment movement on the east bank. These activities will generate higher levels of noise than experienced in recent months.

A reminder that heavy noise-generating activities will be limited to the following times:

• Monday – Saturday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

• Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Construction Will Reduce Lanes On Lansdowne And Clonsilla This Summer

Construction will begin on the Clonsilla Avenue and Lansdowne Street West Intersection on June 27.

Stock Image.

The project will include new storm sewers, sanitary sewers, watermain, concrete curb and gutter, road base and asphalt road structure, traffic signals, streetlights, sidewalk, tree plantings, pavement markings, installation of multi-use trails and regulatory signage as part of a full scope road and intersection reconstruction.

During construction Lansdowne Street will be reducedto three lanes; one eastbound lane, one westbound lane and one shared left turn lane.

Clonsilla Avenue will also be reduced to three lanes; one southbound right turn lane, one southbound shared through and left turn lane and one northbound lane.

There is a scheduled road closure of Clonsilla Avenue for the purpose of milling and paving operations near the end of construction. The milling and paving is expected to take four days. As a result, it is expected that local traffic may experience delays within the construction limits.

Dufferin Construction will be completing the project.

The work is scheduled to be completed by late fall 2022.

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Bethune Street Intersections Closed Due to Road Construction

Several intersections on Bethune Street are closed to vehicles and pedestrians due to construction announced by The City of Peterborough on Monday.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

Hunter Street at Bethune Street is closed from June 6 - 24. Simcoe Street at Bethune Street from June 3 - 17 is also closed for construction.

For more information about any construction occurring throughout the city, visit Peterborough’s road construction map website.

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Reopening Of Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge Delayed Until Fall 2022

Parks Canada advises that the re-opening of the Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge has been delayed until Fall 2022.

Parks Canada was recently informed by the contractor that progress on the refabrication of the mechanical components for the Bridge has been slower than expected and has resulted in further delays to the rehabilitation project schedule.

Lock 32 is expected to be operational for the start of the 2022 Navigation Season and the enhanced pedestrian access over the upper lock gates and its access paths will continue to remain open until the bridge project has been completed.

Over the next few months, the electric and hydraulic work associated with the lock will be carried out and completed in time for the Navigation Season.

Design and refabrication of the mechanical components for the bridge continues offsite. The components are expected to arrive on location through the spring and summer 2022 at which time they will be installed.

Once installation of the components has begun, the remainder of the bridge work will be able to continue with an expected completion in late summer/early fall and bridge reopening scheduled for fall 2022 once testing has been completed.

This work is not expected to impede boat navigation.

Parks Canada is working closely with the Contractor to bring the project to its completion. Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

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Intersection Of Sherbrooke And Bethune Street Will Be Temporarily Closed Next Week

The intersection of Sherbrooke and Bethune streets will be closed to through traffic from Jan. 17 - 22 while work is completed as part of the Central Area Flood Reduction Project. Sidewalks in the construction area will also be closed.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Detour routes will be posted for both vehicles and pedestrians.

Local access to Bethune Street and Sherbrooke Street within the road closure area will be available for people accessing their homes and businesses.

The Bethune Street Flood Reduction project was one of the top priorities that came out of the Flood Reduction Master Plan process after the flood in July 2004 that caused significant damage valued at more than $100 million, with substantial flooding in the central area (downtown).

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Warsaw Swing Bridge Temporarily Reduced To One Lane

Parks Canada announced on Monday that Warsaw Road Swing Bridge will be temporarily reduced to one lane for vehicle traffic on Friday and Saturday, between 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The bridge will be closed for temporary removal of the cyclist steel plates located on the outer edge of both traffic lanes on the main bridge deck.

Traffic control will be in place.

Drivers are asked to exercise caution , respect working crews and equipment, and obey signage and flag persons in the area.

The Warsaw Road Swing Bridge was closed from October 2020 to August 2021 to undergo a full replacement of the bridge superstructure, repairs to concrete abutments, replacement of mechanical, hydraulic and electrical operating systems, and to bring the bridge up to full highway loading.

Part of this work included the installation of perforated cyclist steel plates on the outer edge of both traffic lanes to provide a smooth and safe ride over the bridge for cyclists.

Following the reopening of the bridge, it was discovered that noise levels on the bridge were elevated as a result of the plates vibrating on top of the bridge grating when vehicles travel over them.

The plates will be removed and will be replaced in the spring with new plates that will allow for installation of fasteners to reduce noise levels. Noise from the bridge will not be fully eliminated but rather reduced to levels similar to what existed prior to construction. Cyclists are advised to exercise caution when crossing the bridge until the new plates are installed.

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Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge Construction Delayed Until Spring 2022

Parks Canada announced on Friday that the re-opening of Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge to vehicle traffic is delayed until Spring 2022.

Screenshot.

The enhanced pedestrian access over the upper lock gates and its access paths will continue to remain open.

Earlier this fall, in order to assist with resolving concerns regarding the mechanical components, a new Consultant was brought onto the project to review and finalize the design, and refabrication of required components for the bridge.

At that point it was believed that a December 2021 bridge re-opening timeframe was still achievable. However, upon review by the new Consultant, Parks Canada was recently advised by the Contractor that they will be unable to meet this timeframe and that the re-opening of the bridge needed to be pushed to Spring 2022 due to issues mainly associated with the mechanical component re-fabrication.

Parks Canada is working closely with the Contractor to bring the project to its completion. Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

The Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge project is part of the Government of Canada’s Federal Infrastructure Investment program.

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Section of George Street to be Temporarily Reduced to One Lane

The City of Peterborough has announced that emergency repairs to the storm sewer system under George Street North in an area just north of Simcoe Street will begin on November 8, 2021.

File Photo.

Vehicle traffic will be reduced to one lane on a section of George Street between Hunter Street and Simcoe Street.

The work is expected to be completed in about four weeks.

Access for local traffic and businesses in the construction area will be maintained at all times. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic may experience delays within the construction limits.

A paid duty officer will help to direct traffic at the intersection of George Street and Simcoe Street as required. Pedestrian traffic is expected to be maintained through the work zone.

Surface restoration of the affected areas on George Street North will be completed following the underground repairs.

The emergency repairs are required to restore capacity to the storm sewer after it was recently discovered that a section of the storm sewer had partially collapsed.

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Louis Street Urban Park Project Expected to be Complete July 2022

The Louis Street Urban Park that is under construction near the intersection of Charlotte and Aylmer Streets downtown is expected to be completed in July 2022, the City of Peterborough announced on Friday.

Charlotte Street view mockup. File Photo.

This new park will create a new multi-purpose space for community gatherings, activities such as a farmers’ market and an outdoor skating rink in the winter.

Construction on the urban park and refrigerated outdoor skating rink started in early 2021.

Due to the need for some underground servicing location work, some construction will need to be done in the spring before the project can be completed.

The creation of an urban park, along with the renewal of Charlotte Street, are key strategies in the City’s Central Area Master Plan. Consultation, planning and design work on the project started in late 2016.

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