The City of Thunder Bay is investing $30 million in 2019 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, but the inconvenience ultimately results in improved infrastructure. 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:

Sewer and watermain work

  • Hinton Street, between Crescent Avenue and Whalen Street will be closed to through traffic due to the reconstruction of the sanitary sewer and watermain. The road will also be resurfaced. Work is expected to take up to eight weeks to complete.
  • Sewer and water replacement, and road reconstruction is scheduled for Syndicate Avenue North, Pruden Street, McKellar Street, Dease Street and Finlayson Street. There will be local access only in areas impacted by the construction. Roads will be closed to through traffic. Work will continue for the full 2019 construction season.
  • Mary Street, between Edward Street and Ford Street will be closed to through traffic due to the reconstruction of the sanitary sewer and watermain. The road will also be resurfaced. Work is expected to take up to eight weeks to complete.

 

Road, street lighting, bridge and sidewalk improvements

  • Road reconstruction work continues on Donald Street, between Vickers Street and May Street. City transit routes and the transit hub at City Hall are impacted by the construction.  For further information on changes to transit routes, visit: thunderbay.ca/transit. Construction updates are available at: brunoscontracting.com/donaldstreet. 
  • Road resurfacing work is scheduled to begin on James Street, from Walsh Street to Frederica Street. Watch for lane closures as the work proceeds.
  • Pavement resurfacing work on Dawson Road, between Strand Avenue and Fassina Street is tentatively scheduled to start in August. Traffic lanes will be reduced to accommodate construction activities. 
  • Work continues on the reconstruction and four-lane widening of Junot Avenue, between John Street and Walkover Street. A construction detour around the area is posted. There is a no left-turn restriction posted at the John and Clarkson intersection. Local access to the area via Walkover Street.
  • New street lighting on Chippewa Road, between James Street and Mountain Road. Watch for shoulder work, one lane traffic with flag persons and speed zone reductions as the work proceeds.
  • Sidewalk replacement on portions of Norah Street, Alberta Street and Van Horne Street. There will be some disruption to driveways and local access as work proceeds.
  • Grading, drainage and surface treatment is underway on Melbourne Road between Hilldale Road and Hazelwood Drive. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during the construction work.  No through traffic, local access only.
  • Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) is completing dredging of the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway.  The trail along the Floodway is closed at Balmoral Street to the Williams Street bridge. Trail users are detoured to the Williams Street bike lane during construction.  Please contact the LRCA at 344-5857 for questions about the work. 

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 also brings with it numerous community events to engage residents and visitors alike. These often result in temporary street closures. Again, residents are reminded to obey detours and drive with extra care in the vicinity of these closures so everyone can enjoy the events in a safe environment.  

Temporary street closures for events will be in effect:

  • Sleeping Giant Parkway, from the CN Station to Bobby Curtola Drive North, and Bobby Curtola Drive, from Saul Laskin Drive to the Marina Park Overpass, on Wednesdays during the summer, from 5 pm – 9 pm, for Live on the Waterfront
  • Bobby Curtola Drive, from Saul Laskin Drive South to Saul Laskin Drive North, and Saul Laskin Drive from Bobby Curtola Drive South to Bobby Curtola Drive North, on Friday, Aug. 9, from 3 pm – 9 pm and Saturday, Aug. 10, from 11 am – 9 pm, for Brew Ha Festival
  • Frederica Street, from 217 West Frederica Street to 135 East Frederica Street, on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 6 am – 7 pm, for the Westfort Street Fair
  • Saul Laskin Drive, from Bobby Curtola Drive South to Bobby Curtola Drive North, on Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24, both nights from 8 pm – 10:30 pm, for Movie Nights on the Waterfront
  • Bobby Curtola Drive, from Saul Laskin Drive to Marina Park Overpass, Saul Laskin Drive (entire street), on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 am – 11 pm, for Wake the Giant
  • Saul Laskin Drive, from Bobby Curtola Drive South to Bobby Curtola Drive North, on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 10 am – 12 pm, for the Kidney Foundation of Canada’s Kidney Walk 

 

For more information, visit: thunderbay.ca/roadwork

 

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Contact:           Rick Harms, Project Engineer - 625-3071

                         Brian Newman, Project Engineer - 625-2521

                         Mike Vogrig, Project Engineer - 625-4321

                         Matt Miedema, Project Engineer - 625-3050

                         Aaron Ward, Project Engineer – 625-2444