THUNDER BAY – As often said in Thunder Bay, there are two seasons, winter and construction season. With that in mind, the City of Thunder Bay is getting set to move on road construction for the summer.
Major construction projects and smaller public works enhancements have begun. Projects include road and sidewalk rehabilitation, sanitary and storm sewer and water main replacements, bridge work and streetlight renewal. City Council approved an Enhanced Infrastructure Rehabilitation Program (EIRP) in 2012 with $2 million going towards pavement rehabilitation. Other projects are funded by the City’s Capital Budget and some receive additional funding through the Federal Gas Tax Program. The City’s total Capital infrastructure spending will be $22 million in 2012.
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.
The following areas are scheduled for road and other major infrastructure work expected to affect traffic from June 7 to July 5, 2012.
Temporary street closures will be in effect:
- Sunday, June 10, from 10 am to 2 pm, South Archibald Street from Donald Street to 208 South Archibald Street will be closed for the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Parish Picnic;
- Saturday, June 16, from 7 am to 7 pm, Bobby Curtola Drive from Marina Park Overpass to parking lot, Saul Laskin Drive from Bobby Curtola Drive North to Bobby Curtola Drive South will be closed for Thunder Pride – Pride in the Park;
- Thursday, June 21, from 5 am to 10 pm, Bobby Curtola Drive from Camelot Street entrance to Marina Park Overpass, Saul Laskin Drive from Marina Park Overpass to Bobby Curtola Drive South for National Aboriginal Day;
- Sunday, July 1 from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm, Park Avenue from Court Street to Cumberland Street will be closed for Cruiser Day;
- Sunday, July 1 from 5 pm to 6:45 pm, Fort William Road from Spofford Street to Water Street and Water Street from Fort William Road to Pearl Street will be closed for the Canada Day Parade. Also on Sunday, July 1 from 6 am to 12 midnight, Sleeping Giant Parkway from Pearl Street to Saul Laskin Drive, Saul Laskin Drive from Bobby Curtola Drive South to Bobby Curtola Drive North, and Bobby Curtola Drive from Saul Laskin Drive to Marina Park Overpass will be closed for the Canada Day Celebration;
- Thursday, July 5 at 6 am until Monday, July 9 at 6 pm, Bobby Curtola Drive from Marina Park Overpass to Prince Arthur’s Landing and Saul Laskin Drive from Bobby Curtola Drive to Bobby Curtola Drive South will be closed for the Blues Festival.
Road Work Ahead: Sewer & Watermain Work
- Sewer and watermain replacement is scheduled for Walsh Street from Beaverhall Place to Neebing Avenue;
- Cast iron watermains on laneways on Rupert Street from John Street to Red River Road; Ray Blvd. from John Street to Red River Road; McKibbon Street from John Street to Red River Road;
- Begin Street from Leland Avenue to Edward Street; and Ridgeway Street from Leland Avenue to Edward Street will be cleaned and lined;
- Mercier Street from Hutton Park Drive to John Street will be closed for the installation of a new storm sewer complete with new ditching;
- Market Street is scheduled for storm sewer construction and repaving. Local traffic only and possible road closures as the work proceeds;
- Rosslyn Road will see road resurfacing and water valve replacements from the 20th Sideroad to the 25th Sideroad. Water service interruptions are possible. Watch for reduced lanes and flagman as work proceeds;
Sewer and watermain replacement, street lighting and street-scaping is scheduled for Algoma Street between John Street and Bay Street. The block between John Street and Cornwall Street will begin in mid-June with the block between Cornwall Street and Bay Street to follow in August.
Bridge Work:
- Rural bridge replacement is scheduled for Government Road at the Neebing River and for Pento Road at the McIntyre River. The existing wood bridges will be replaced with multi plate structures. Please follow posted detour and construction signage;
- The Paquette Road Bridge is also scheduled for replacement.
Road, Street Lighting & Sidewalk Improvements:
- Road resurfacing is scheduled for Trotter Road, Fairview Avenue, Piccadilly Avenue, Russell Street, William Street, and Strathcona Avenue;
- Residential paving is slated for Stardust Crescent, Melon Street, Bruce Street and Begin Street;
Road reconstruction on the perimeter streets surrounding the new Consolidated Courthouse in the South core is expected to proceed in 2012. There will be block to block closures to traffic and parking as the work proceeds. Businesses are open as usual during construction; - Miscellaneous paving repairs are scheduled for Memorial Avenue and Central Avenue intersection;
New and replacement sidewalk construction on Prescott Crescent, Hill Street, Dawson Street, Martha Street, Madeline Street and Marlborough Street. There will be some disruptions to driveway access as the work proceeds; - New and rebuild work on traffic signals at the following intersections: Oliver Road and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre/Lakehead University Field House, and Vickers and Miles Street. Watch for lane closures as the work proceeds.
The above list includes major, traffic-affecting construction only. Work including sidewalk replacements is also proceeding in residential areas and other areas around the City. The schedule is subject to change. Watch for monthly, updated information on construction work within the City.