THUNDER BAY – It is the eternal vicious circle. People complain about the condition of local roads and sidewalks. Then they complain when there are delays and detours as they are fixed.
Thunder Bay in local chat has two seasons, snow clearing season and road construction and repair season. We are in the midst of road construction season.
The City of Thunder Bay is investing $18 million in 2020, 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. 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 in the coming month:
Sewer and watermain work, and road construction
- Simpson Street, from Pacific Avenue to Southern Avenue – closed to northbound traffic until mid-September
- Southern Avenue between May Street and Brodie Street for watermain replacement, new curbing & sidewalks, lighting and repaving – will be closed to through traffic, with local access to Dairy Queen entrance from May Street
- Minnesota Street from Pacific Avenue to Southern Avenue sewer & water, road rehabilitation, curb/gutter and sidewalks – will be closed in both directions for twelve weeks
- Fort William Road from Queen Street to Water Street for watermain work and resurfacing – closed for eight weeks, local traffic only
- Donald Street from Waterloo Street to Tarbutt Street North for new storm sewer and resurfacing – closed for four weeks, local traffic only
- Amelia Street East, from Edward Street to Ford Street for watermain, storm and sanitary sewer replacement – closed for 12 weeks, local traffic only
- Grey Crescent for storm separation and watermain replacement
- Kingston Street, from James Street to the dead-end
- Syndicate Avenue, from Dease Street to Leith Street for storm separation and watermain replacement
- Brodie Street, from Dease Street to Leith Street for storm separation and watermain replacement
- Norah Street, from Donald Street to Arthur Street for storm separation and watermain replacement
- Tupper Street, from Jean Street to Prospect Avenue for watermain, storm and sanitary sewer replacement, until October
Road, street lighting, bridge, and sidewalk improvements
- Francis Street West from Alpine Avenue to Neebing Avenue, and Neebing Avenue from Mary to Francis, for new sidewalk construction – watch for work-zone closures and northbound detours on Neebing Avenue
- Mount Forest Boulevard, from 20th Sideroad to Hawkridge Drive, for pavement reconstruction and street lighting
- Neebing River Trail, from Ford Street to Legion Track Drive, for multi-use trail reconstruction
- New multi-use trail construction off Balmoral Street through Chapples Park and Conservatory connecting to Dease Street
- Red River Road at Pine Street for traffic signal rebuild, with temporary stop control on Pine Street – watch for lane closures on Red River Road
- Arthur Street and Ford Street, for new traffic signals
- New pedestrian crossovers at John Street at Marlborough Street, Pioneer Drive at Wyndale Street, Court Street at McVicar Creek, and Neebing Avenue at Mary Street West
- The parking lot at Market Square, Prince Arthur’s Landing, for eight weeks
- Possible intermittent closures of Water Street in the vicinity of Marina Park Overpass
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 and fall also bring community events, resulting in temporary street closures. Residents are reminded to obey detours and drive with extra care in the vicinity of these closures.
Temporary street closures for events will be in effect:
- Northern Avenue, the eastbound lane from Thursday, Aug. 27 to Sunday, Aug. 30, 11 am to 8 pm daily for Ribfest
- Red River Road, the westbound lane from Court Street to St. Paul Street until Sept. 30 for the Waterfront BIA StrEATery & Marketplace
- Elm Street, from Cottonwood Crescent to Parsons Avenue on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 10 am to 6 pm for Elm Street Play Day
- George Street, from Simpson Street to May Street on Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 10 am to 12 pm for Shelter House Memorial Service
- Whisky Jack Crescent, from Chippewa Park to Sandy Beach Road on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 10 am to 12 pm for The Chippewa Challenge
