News release
City of Thunder Bay
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September 10, 2019 – The City of Thunder Bay is investing $30 million in 2019, on road and sidewalk rehabilitation, residential paving, sanitary and storm sewers, watermain repair/replacement, bridge and culvert work, and streetlight renewal.
Road work can result in road closures, detours and delays for drivers, but the inconvenience ultimately results in improved infrastructure. All residents are reminded to reduce their speed, be alert, watch for workers and drive with extra care in construction zones.
The following areas are scheduled for or are currently undergoing road and other major infrastructure work that is expected to affect traffic:
Sewer and watermain work
· Sewer and water replacement, and road reconstruction is scheduled for Syndicate Avenue North, Pruden Street, McKellar Street, Dease Street and Finlayson Street. There will be local access only in areas impacted by the construction. Roads will be closed to through-traffic. Work will continue for the full 2019 construction season.
· Mary Street, between Edward Street and Ford Street will be closed to through-traffic due to the reconstruction of the sanitary sewer and watermain. The road will also be resurfaced. Work is expected to take up to eight weeks to complete.
· James Street, between Parkway Drive and Victoria Avenue will be closed to through-traffic due to the construction of a new storm sewer. The road will be resurfaced and is expected to take eight weeks to complete.
· Donald Street, between Tarbutt Street and Waterloo Street will be closed to through-traffic due to the construction of a new storm sewer. The road will be resurfaced where the trenches are and is expected to take four weeks to complete.
· Edward Street, between Churchill Drive and Ward Street will be reduced to one lane of traffic in either direction for the reconstruction of an existing watermain. The road will be resurfaced in its entirety over these limits and the work is expected to take six weeks to complete.
Road, street lighting, bridge and sidewalk improvements
· Road reconstruction work continues on Donald Street, between Vickers Street and May Street. City transit routes and the transit hub at City Hall are impacted by the construction. For further information on changes to transit routes, visit: thunderbay.ca/transit. Construction updates are available at: brunoscontracting.com/donaldstreet.
· Road resurfacing work is scheduled to begin on James Street, from Walsh Street to Frederica Street. Watch for lane closures as the work proceeds.
· Empress Avenue, between John Street and Windsor Street. Local access only.
· Pavement resurfacing work on Dawson Road, between Strand Avenue and Fassina Street is underway. Traffic lanes will be reduced to accommodate construction activities.
· Work continues on the reconstruction and four-lane widening of Junot Avenue, between John Street and Walkover Street. A construction detour around the area is posted. There is a no left-turn restriction posted at the John and Clarkson intersection. Local access to the area via Walkover Street.
· New street lighting on Chippewa Road, between James Street and Mountain Road. Watch for shoulder work, one lane traffic with flag persons and speed zone reductions as the work proceeds.
· Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) is completing dredging of the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway. The trail along the Floodway is closed at Balmoral Avenue to the Williams Street bridge. Trail users are detoured to the Williams Street bike lane during construction. Please contact the LRCA at 344-5857 for questions about the work.
· Repair of Red River Road retaining walls, from Winnipeg Avenue to Hill Street. Watch for west bound lane closures and sidewalk closures within construction zone.
· Sidewalk construction to begin on John Street Road from Sunflower Street to Woodcrest Road.
· Pavement resurfacing work continues on Victoria Avenue, between Edward Street and Lillie Street. West bound traffic will be permitted through the construction zone, while eastbound traffic is detoured at Edward Street. As part of this work, a new pedestrian crossover will be installed at Victoria Avenue and Ford Street, and the traffic signals removed at Victoria Avenue and Lillie Street.
· Expect work to commence on new pedestrian crossover locations at the intersection of High Street and Bay Street, and the intersection of Algonquin Avenue and Windsor Street. Motorists may expect delays during construction.
The above list includes major, traffic-affecting construction. Other work, including sidewalk replacements and curb and gutter repairs, is scheduled for residential areas and other areas around the city. Schedules are subject to change.
Summer also brings with it numerous community events to engage residents and visitors alike. These often result in temporary street closures. Again, residents are reminded to obey detours and drive with extra care in the vicinity of these closures so everyone can enjoy the events in a safe environment.
Temporary street closures for events will be in effect:
· Bobby Curtola Drive, from Saul Laskin Drive to Marina Park Overpass, Saul Laskin Drive (entire street), on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., for Wake the Giant
· Van Norman Street, from Court Street to St. Paul Street, on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., for the Franco Festival 2019
· Saul Laskin Drive, from Bobby Curtola Drive South to Bobby Curtola Drive North, on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., for the Kidney Foundation of Canada’s Kidney Walk
For more information, visit: thunderbay.ca/roadwork
