August 4, 2016 - A busy road work season is taking place in Thunder Bay. Projects to be undertaken in 2016 include road and sidewalk rehabilitation, residential paving, sewer and watermain repair/replacement, bridge and culvert work and streetlight renewal.

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:
"¢ Brew Ha Festival - Friday, Aug. 12, from noon - 11 pm and Saturday, August 13 from 11 am - 11 pm, Bobby Curtola Drive from Marina Park Overpass to Prince Arthur's Landing and Saul Laskin Drive from Bobby Curtola Drive North to Bobby Curtola Drive South
"¢ Really, Really, Really Long Table - Saturday, Aug. 13, from 8 am - 12 am, St. Paul Street from Red River Road to Van Norman Street and Cooke Street from St. Paul Street to Court Street
"¢ Shelter House Community Festival - Saturday, Aug. 20, from 8 am - 6 pm, George Street from May Street North to Simpson Street
"¢ Thunder Bay Masjid Carnival and Open House - Saturday, Aug. 20, from 8 am - 9 pm, McBean Street from Faircrest Street to Montgomery Street
"¢ Ribfest 2016:
o Thursday, Aug. 25 to Sunday, Aug. 28, from 10 am - 11 pm, Park Avenue from Court Street to Cumberland Street
o Saturday, Aug. 27 from 8 am - 11 pm, Red River Road from Court Street to St. Paul Street, and Red River Road from Court Street to Cumberland Street
o In order to safely maneuver transit buses around the street closures, the following streets will be designated as "no parking areas":
1. The north side of Van Norman Street between Cumberland Street and Water Street
2. Both sides of Cumberland Street between Van Norman Street and Camelot Street
3. The north side of Camelot Street between Cumberland Street and Court Street
4. The west of Court Street North between Camelot Street and Red River Road
5. The west side of Court Street South between Pearl Street and Ambrose Street
"¢ Rockin' Recovery - Recovery Day 2016 - Wednesday, Aug. 31, from 5 pm - 9 pm, Saul Laskin Drive from Bobby Curtola Drive North to Bobby Curtola Drive South
"¢ Live on the Waterfront - Every Wednesday up to and including Aug. 24, from 4 pm - 9:30 pm, Sleeping Giant Parkway from north of roundabout to Saul Laskin Drive, Saul Laskin Drive from Bobby Curtola Drive S. to Bobby Curtola Drive N., and Bobby Curtola Drive from Saul Laskin Drive to Marina Park Overpass 

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 2 is expected to be completed by mid-August, with work extending from Clavet Street to McCulloch Street. Work will then proceed on Stage 3, which extends from McCulloch Street to MacDougall 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. This project started in late May and will take 10 to 12 weeks. Only local traffic will have access to the area.
"¢ Final road paving on Gore Street between Crawford Avenue and Neebing Avenue continues. The project will also include pavement markings to develop the street as an Active Transportation route with bike lanes.
"¢ 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 and road reconstruction on River Street are underway between Madeline Street and McComber Crescent. Eastbound traffic is permitted while westbound traffic will be required to follow the posted detour route. Beginning in July, the project is expected to be complete within 8 to 10 weeks.
"¢ 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.

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 is underway on Tuxedo Drive between Mountain Road and Broad Oaks Drive. Watch for road closures with local traffic access only as the work proceeds.
"¢ 15th Sideroad from Highway 61 extending northerly to the dead-end is scheduled for road reconstruction. Watch for road closures with local traffic access only 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, and 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.
"¢ Widening and road resurfacing clean-up work continues on Hemlock Place/Avenue. Watch for lane closures as work continues.
"¢ Road rehabilitation work has begun on Vickers Street between Victoria Avenue and Cameron Street. Watch for block to block road closures with local traffic access only as the work proceeds. All businesses within the limits of the work remain open during the construction.
"¢ 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 of Isabella Street, Lillie Street, 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, and on Mapleward Road, approximately 550 metres north of Laval Street will begin mid-August. Please follow the posted detours.
"¢ 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, and will continue for approximately four 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.

For the full list of temporary street closures and construction projects, visit thunderbay.ca/roadwork

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Contact:       Jessica Backen, Communications Officer, 807-474-4810 or jbacken@thunderbay.ca