Delays and detours: Thunder Bay road construction season

The warmer weather means the road work season in Thunder Bay is now in full swing.

Projects slated for this summer include road and sidewalk rehabilitation, residential paving, sewer and watermain repair/replacement, bridge work and streetlight renewal.

Drivers are reminded that road work can result in road closures, detours and delays for drivers. They're urged to reduce their speed, be alert, watch for workers and drive with extra care in construction zones.

Temporary street closures for events:

• Saturday, June 20 from 11:00 - 11:30 pm (rain date Sunday, Aug. 9 from 11:00 - 11:30 pm), Fort William Road from Northern Avenue to Isabel Street, for the CLE 125th Birthday Celebration
•  Sunday, June 21 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm, Hilldale Road from 321 Hilldale Road (Hilldale Lutheran Church) to 123 Hilldale Road (St. Anthony's Church) - moving road closure with Thunder Bay Police assistance, for the Celebration of the Holy Spirit Procession
•  Wednesday, July 1 from 4:00 am - 7:00 pm, Park Avenue from Court Street to Cumberland Street, for Cruiser Day
•  Thursday, July 2 at 6:00 am to Monday, July 6 at 6:00 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, for the Thunder Bay Blues Festival 
• Saturday, July 18 from 8:00 - 11:00 am, full closure of Lyon Blvd. from Algoma Street N. to Arundel Street, partial closure of Arundel Street from Lyon Blvd. to Lyon Blvd., full closure of Lyon Blvd. from Arundel Street to Rita Street, and partial closure of Cumberland Street N. from Grenville Avenue to Trail, for The Color Vibe 5K

Canada Day Wednesday, July 1, 2015 

• 6:00 am - 12:00 am, Sleeping Giant Parkway from Pearl Street to Bobby Curtola Drive N.
• 9:00 pm - 12:00 am, Water Street from Pearl Street to Cumberland Street N.
• For buses only: Van Norman Street from Cumberland Street to Water Street, and Camelot Street from Cumberland Street to Water Street for Canada Day Celebrations

Sewer & Watermain Work 

•  May Street between Dease Street and Miles Street is scheduled for road reconstruction including the reconstruction of the watermain, sanitary sewer and new streetscaping. The project will begin in late June and continue for approximately 16 weeks. Work will proceed in stages, beginning with the section of May Street between Dease Street and Bethune Street. May Street will be completely closed in this section; please use posted detours.
• Arthur Street from Waterloo Street to Ford Street will be closed to westbound traffic for storm sewer installation. The eastbound lanes will be reduced to one lane.
• Peter Street from Van Norman Street to Hebert Street will undergo sewer and watermain work. The road will be closed to all traffic.
• William Street from Edward Street to Barton Street will be closed to through traffic until the end of June for the installation of new storm sewers  
• Walnut Street and Tarbutt Street starting at Lillie Street and extending to the cul-de-sac will be closed to through traffic for storm sewer installation work
• Mary Street W. between Neebing Avenue and Crawford Place is slated for road and watermain construction. The road will be closed to through traffic. Local access will be available at each end of the construction zone
• Brown Street from Brock Street to Walsh Street is slated for road reconstruction with new sewers and watermains. The curb and gutter will be replaced along with sections of sidewalks. The road will be open to local traffic, but closed during some of the deeper excavation work
• Woodlawn Avenue, Ironwood Avenue, Edward Street and Kensington Drive will be closed to local traffic for installation of new storm sewers and replacement of existing watermains. The roads will be reconstructed complete with new curb and gutter
• Storm sewer construction in the Syndicate Avenue/Durban Street area is expected to proceed in July. Local access only with possible driveway disruption. The project will include detouring of traffic on Northern Avenue

Road, Street Lighting & Sidewalk Improvements

• Resurfacing work continues on Harbour Expressway between Highway 11/17 and Golf Links Road. Watch for alternating access to traffic lanes, detours, speed reductions and lane closures during construction.
• The next stage of the Golf Links Road project has commenced. The project includes new active transportation corridor development. Road construction and lane widening will take place between Linden Court and John Street. Golf Links Road will be closed to through traffic, and detours posted via Oliver Road/John Street and Balmoral Street. The Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre, businesses on Golf Links Road and the River Terrace residential subdivision will be accessible to local traffic via Oliver Road
• Arthur Street between Waterloo Street and Edward Street is under construction. The road is closed to westbound through traffic, and a detour is posted on Waterloo Street/Victoria Avenue and Edward Street. Businesses on Arthur Street remain open and accessible from the eastbound direction. Lane closures will vary as final paving is completed.
• Edward Street from Victoria Avenue to Arthur Street is slated for lane widening, curb replacement and pavement resurfacing. Lane closures will occur as the work proceeds
• Arundel Street Active Transportation Corridor: the bicycle lanes and multiuse trail on Arundel Street will be updated this year to include physical separation between vehicular traffic and walking/cycling traffic with the use of flexible bollards and paint line reconfiguration. This work is expected to take place during the month of June; intermittent lane closures may be necessary
• Resurfacing of Walkover Street between Clarkson Street and Junot Avenue is underway. Watch for road closures as the work proceeds. Some driveway disruption is expected
• Road widening and reconstruction work is underway on Walnut Street / Tarbutt Street between Ford Street and the cul-de-sac on Tarbutt Street. Local access only. Some driveway disruption is expected
• Road reconstruction work is underway on Pioneer Drive between Woodcrest Road and Nottingham Crescent. Watch for road closures as work proceeds. Some driveway disruption is expected
•  Broadway Avenue between Glenwood Crescent and Highway 61 is scheduled for pavement resurfacing. Watch for road closures with local access only as work proceeds
• Whalen Street from River Street to the dead end will be closed to through traffic in order to complete top-lift paving
• Final lift paving on Conmee Street between Chamberlain Street and Albany Street will commence. Watch for road closures with local access only as the work proceeds
• Residential paving is slated for Edgewood Drive, Edgewood Place, Pinegrove Drive, Cherry Ridge Road, Montclair Street, Hallam Street and Lamont Street
• Road resurfacing at the intersection of Memorial Street and Ontario Street is expected to commence shortly. Watch for lane closures as the work proceeds
• Reconstruction work at the Arthur Street rail crossing east of Waterloo Street will commence this month. Watch for road closures and detours as the work proceeds
• New & replacement sidewalk projects on Ogden Street, Heron Street, Pruden Street, Donald Street and Bay Street are scheduled for this month. Local traffic only in the construction areas. Some driveway disruption is anticipated.

The city of Thunder Bay say it is investing $40 million on these improvements and related infrastructure.