City of Thunder Bay release
THUNDER BAY – 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.
Roadwork 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
· Empress Avenue, between John Street and Windsor Street. Local access only. The intersection of John Street and Empress Avenue will be closed to through traffic for approximately three weeks.
· The west portion of Shuniah Street, north portion of Huron Street, the east portion of Otto Street and the south portion of Albany Street. Work involves excavating pits in various locations to access the watermains. Restoration work on excavations will be ongoing as necessary. The streets are drivable.
· Hinton Street, between Crescent Avenue and Whalen 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.
· 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.
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.
· Final lift paving and restoration work will be completed on Franklin Street, between Arthur Street and Walsh. The road will be closed to through traffic during final paving.
· Road resurfacing work is scheduled to begin on James Street, from Walsh Street to Frederica Street. Watch for lane closures as the work proceeds.
· Pavement resurfacing work on Dawson Road, between Strand Avenue and Fassina Street, is tentatively scheduled to start in August. 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.
· Sidewalk replacement on portions of Norah Street, Alberta Street and Van Horne Street. There will be some disruption to driveways and local access as work proceeds.
· Grading, drainage and surface treatment is underway on Melbourne Road between Hilldale Road and Hazelwood Drive. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during the construction work. No through traffic, local access only.
· 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.
· The WW1 Lookout at Waverley Park is under construction. The construction area is fenced off and the fencing is approximately 2 metres off the road. There will be no disruption to traffic.
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
· Sleeping Giant Parkway, from the CN Station to Bobby Curtola Drive North, and Bobby Curtola Drive, from Saul Laskin Drive to the Marina Park Overpass, on Wednesdays during the summer, from 5 pm – 9 pm, for Live on the Waterfront
· Algoma Street, from Bay Street to Cornwall Street, and Bay Street, from Algoma Street to Secord Street, on Saturday, July 27 from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 28, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., for the Bay Algoma Buskers Festival
· Algoma Street, from Bay Street to Dufferin Street, on Sunday, August 4, from 12 p.m. – 12 a.m., and Monday, August 5, from 12 p.m. – 12 a.m., for Festa Italiana
· Bobby Curtola Drive, from Saul Laskin Drive South to Saul Laskin Drive North, and Saul Laskin Drive from Bobby Curtola Drive South to Bobby Curtola Drive North, on Friday, Aug. 9, from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 10, from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., for Brew Ha Festival
For more information, visit: thunderbay.ca/roadwork
