Night work has been suggested for many years and in a report going to the operations committee on Tuesday, staff present the pros and cons of working through the witching hour.

“When considering night work, there are six main factors to assess: operational constraints, traffic impacts, safety, quality and productivity, construction costs and nuisances,” a staff report notes.  

In 2023, the city incorporated night labour into some projects, including work on The Kingsway, Anderson Drive in Lively, Larch Street, Elm Street and at various major intersections. 

Where excavation is not required, staff indicate night work can result in fewer delays, less congestion and (definitely) less frustration.  

“For some types of construction, traffic congestion and motorist delays are generally reduced or avoided altogether by completing work during nighttime hours,” the report indicates. “These are construction projects without excavations and where the equipment can be easily moved off the road to open the travel lanes during the day. Typical examples of this type of project include asphalt-resurfacing, patching, crack-sealing, watermain-lining and surface treatment.”

Working at night can also be good for the environment, staff says.

“Transportation is the single largest source of emissions in Greater Sudbury, accounting for approximately 32 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions,” the report states. “Reducing the time that vehicles sit idling in traffic due to construction delays can lead to reduced local transportation-related emissions in the short-term.”

But there are some drawbacks to consider. For example, staff cite safety concerns. 

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