Thunder Bay Road Construction Update – Sept 7 2016

THUNDER BAY – ROADS – Construction and Road work continues across Thunder Bay.

The City of Thunder Bay is investing $19.1 million in 2016 on these improvements and related infrastructure.

Road work can result in road closures, detours and delays for drivers. Drivers should reduce their speed, be alert, watch for workers and drive with extra care in construction zones.

Temporary street closures for events will be in effect:

• Fort William Fall Street Festival – Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 am to 6 pm, Victoria Avenue from McKellar Street to May Street, Archibald Street from Victoria Avenue to Miles Street, Brodie Street from Donald Street to Miles Street and all of Justice Avenue
• Kidney Walk – Sunday, Sept. 11 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, Saul Laskin Drive from Bobby Curtola Drive North to Bobby Curtola Drive South
• I Run & Rock – Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 am to 1 pm, Lyon Boulevard East from Rita Street to Arundel Street, Lyon Boulevard West from Algoma Street to Arundel Street
• Rotary Peace Day Celebration – Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 am to 1 pm, Saul Laskin Drive from Bobby Curtola Drive North to Bobby Curtola Drive South
• Terry Fox Run – Sunday, Sept. 18 from 1:30 pm to 4 pm, Lyon Boulevard East from Rita Street to Arundel Street, Lyon Boulevard West from Algoma Street to Arundel Street
• Franco Festival – Sunday, Sept. 25 from 6:30 am to 11 pm, Van Norman Street from Court Street to St. Paul Street

Road Work Ahead:

The following areas are scheduled for or are currently undergoing road and other major infrastructure work that is expected to affect traffic:

Sewer & Watermain Work

• Cumberland Street between Stephens Street and Gibson Avenue is undergoing road reconstruction including replacement of the watermain, new storm sewer, street lighting improvements and landscaping work. The project is currently underway and will continue until the end of October 2016. Work on this street will proceed in stages. Stage 3 is expected to be completed shortly, with work extending from McCulloch Street to McDougall Street. Work will then proceed on Stage 4, which extends from MacDougall Street to Gibson Street. Traffic is permitted in one lane only heading southbound on Cumberland Street within the staged limits. Northbound traffic is required to follow the posted detour route.
• Storm sewer work is underway on Roland Street, starting at the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway and extending to Hewitson Street. Watch for road closures with local traffic access only as the work proceeds. All businesses within the limits of the work remain open during the construction.
• Robertson Street from Pacific Avenue to Simpson Street is slated for road reconstruction including new sewers and watermains. Sections of sidewalks will be replaced as well. The road will be open to local traffic, but closed during some of the deeper excavation work.
• Improvements to Banning Street between Bay Street and Pearl Street include sewer and watermain replacements, new curb and gutter, and road reconstruction. Only local traffic will have access to the area.
• Sewer and water work as well as road improvements will proceed on Georgina Avenue. Only local traffic will have access to the area and drivers can expect block-to-block closures as the work proceeds.
• Watermain replacement will take place on Grenville Avenue between Black Bay Road and Earle Street. Only local traffic will have access to the area during the construction, which is expected to take approximately 4 weeks to complete.
• Watermain and sanitary sewer will be replaced on Hebert Street from High Street to Red River Road. Sections of the curb and gutter will be replaced, and the road will be resurfaced. Only local traffic will have access to the area during the construction, which is expected to be completed by early November.
• Mary Street between James Street and Brown Street is scheduled for pavement resurfacing, curb and sidewalk repairs. During this work, the section between Heath Street and Brown Street will undergo underground sewer & water construction. The road will be closed to through traffic, and only local access will be allowed in the construction area.
• Sewer and road resurfacing work on Simpson Street is underway between Pacific Avenue and Rowand Street. The street will be closed with local access only as the work proceeds. A detour along McKenzie and Robertson Streets has been posted to route motorists around the area of construction. All businesses within the limits of the street closure remain open during construction.

Bridge Work

• Inspections of all the City’s bridges will take place throughout the summer season.  Expect occasional lane closures on the various structures throughout the City.

Road, Street Lighting & Sidewalk Improvements

• Road resurfacing work and clean-up work continues on Tuxedo Drive between Mountain Road and Broad Oaks Drive. Watch for lane closures as the work proceeds.
• Residential resurfacing work is slated to begin on Fraser Street and Ridgeway Street.
• Grading and surface treatment of Goods Road between Belrose Road and Woodcrest Road, and Lancaster Avenue between Onion Lake Road and Balsam Street are expected to start. Watch for lane closures as the work proceeds.
• Asphalt patching work at the intersection of Mountdale Avenue and Commerce Street is scheduled to start. Watch for road closures as the work proceeds.
• Balmoral Street reconstruction between the Neebing McIntyre Floodway and Hewitson Street is underway. Work includes new pavement, curb and gutter, and storm sewers. The existing ditches will be filled. New multi-use trails will also be constructed on both sides of the road. During construction traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction, except in mid-September when the southbound lanes of Balmoral Street, between Hewitson and William Street, will be closed for approximately two to three weeks. Southbound through traffic will be detoured along the Harbour Expressway to Golf Links Road, and then down William Street.  Southbound local traffic will still be able to access Sibley Drive and Hewitson Street, as well as businesses along Barton and Roland Street. A single northbound lane will remain open during this period. Detours will be posted to route motorists around the area of construction.
• Widening and road resurfacing clean-up work continues on Hemlock Place/Avenue. Watch for lane closures as work continues.
• The traffic signals at the intersection of James Street and Redwood Avenue will be rebuilt over approximately five to six weeks. A four-way stop will be in effect and traffic lanes will be reduced until the new signals are operational.
• Sidewalk replacement will take place on sections Rankin Street and Norah Street. Some driveway access may be disrupted as the work proceeds.
• Improvements to Wiltshire Crescent and Westminster Boulevard include watermain replacements, new curb and gutter, storm sewer work, and road reconstruction. This project will take 10 to 12 weeks starting in early August. Only local traffic will have access to the area.
• Replacement of culverts on City Road, approximately 360 metres south of the former Abitibi Entrance have begun. There is no detour, but traffic has been reduced to a single lane. Please follow posted signage.
• A short section of the City of Thunder Bay Community Services (Pool 6) access road and a small section of the boater’s parking area to the south of Pearl Street at the Waterfront will be undergoing road realignment and parking lot construction work. The work will include underground utilities, lighting, curbs, asphalt and streetscape. Work began on July 20^th and will continue for approximately 4 months. Access to all facilities south of Pearl Street including the boater’s lot will be maintained throughout the construction period with only brief interruptions planned.

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. The schedule is subject to change.