THUNDER BAY — Expect to see a lot of road closure signs and other evidence of construction this summer around the city.
The City of Thunder Bay has laid out a list of major summer road infrastructure projects that are expected to start affecting traffic in the coming days and weeks.
"It's definitely a busy year," Aaron Ward, the manager of the city's engineering division, said.
“The city is investing $55 million in 2025 to fund crucial infrastructure work including road rehabilitation, sidewalk replacement, sewer and watermain repairs and replacements, and bridge and culvert renewal,” the city stated in a media release.
“While this work is essential to maintain our community’s infrastructure, it can result in delays for travellers. The city hopes to minimize disruption by sharing project details with the public.”
Some of the larger projects include an expected 12-to-14-week closure of a stretch of Cumberland Street from McVicar to Tupper Streets to redo sewer, watermain and road infrastructure. Detours will be posted in July during the associated construction of a nearby roundabout, the city said.
"One of the nice things that will be resulting from the Cumberland Street project is a lot more greenspace," Ward said, adding, currently, "it's pretty grey in terms of all concrete and pavement."
"With a full reconstruction, with new sidewalks and roads, we're also introducing a lot of landscape spaces just to kind of go down to what's been done through the Court Street and Red River Road project a little to the south."
Ward added traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction at the intersection of Cumberland, Water Street and the access to the Marina Park Overpass while the roundabout is being installed.
The longest closure appears to be at the intersection of Archibald Street and Victoria Avenue, which will be fully closed starting June 16 and lasting until October 31, 2026, the city said in another media release specific to that project. The closure is part of a major revamp in the south core, including demolishing Victoriaville Centre, reopening Victoria Avenue to traffic and redeveloping the area.
The west sidewalk will remain open, while the east sidewalk will be closed during the construction. “Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes and use caution when travelling near the construction zone,” the city's release said.
Simpson Street will see rolling closures from late June into the fall while sewer, watermain and roadwork is done, the city said.
In these major projects, particularly along designated "image routes" and in the downtown cores, Ward said adding greenspace is a priority.
Elsewhere in the city this summer, High Street South from River Street to Van Norman Street will be closed in stages starting at the River Street end, according to municipal officials. Work will include sewer, water, curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement.
MacDonell Street from Central Avenue to Squier Street will also be closed likely until mid-August for storm sewer installation, curb and gutter work and asphalt paving.
Other road projects include sewer and roadwork on Burwood Road, a full closure of Leith Street between May and Simpson Streets, final asphalt paving on College Street between Hebert and Van Norman Streets, watermain looping at Walsh Street and Neebing Avenue and at Banning Street near Cornwall Avenue.
Sidewalk work is slated to take place on Gore Street West, Euclid Avenue, Moodie Street East and Marlborough Street.
Other infrastructure projects the city has scheduled include construction of a new pedestrian bridge along Central Avenue near Tungsten Street and Alloy Drive, which will result in intermittent curb lane closures, as well as the replacement of pedestrian bridges on Clayte and Hartviksen Streets.
The city will also be installing new infrastructure for pedestrian crossings at Tupper Street and High Street South, Hodder Avenue and Lillian Street, and a pair along Golf Links Road, near Oliver Road.
Finally, the city said to expect intermittent closures along Red River Road between Court and Cumberland Streets, as final streetscaping work is completed in the downtown north core.
Updates are available on the city's website.
