The City of Thunder Bay is investing $25.6 million in 2018 on a number of infrastructure improvements including road and sidewalk rehabilitation, residential paving, sanitary and storm sewer and watermain repair/replacement, bridge and culvert work, and streetlight renewal.

June marks the start of a busy roadwork season in Thunder Bay, which may result in road closures, traffic detours and delays. Drivers are reminded to reduce their speed, be alert, watch for workers and drive with extra care in construction zones.

Summer also brings with it numerous community events to engage residents and visitors alike, often resulting in temporary street closures. Residents are reminded to obey detours and drive with extra care near these closures to allow everyone to enjoy the events in a safe environment.   

Temporary Street Closures for Events:

  • Waverley Street from Red River Road to Algoma Street, starting this morning until Saturday, June 2 at 9 pm (rain date June 3), for the George Jeffrey Children's Centre Soapbox Races
  • Saul Laskin Drive on Saturday, June 9 from 9 am - 5 pm for the 2018 Back to the Bay Rendezvous Show "˜n Shine Car Show
  • Waverley Street from Red River Road to Algoma Street, Red River Road from Algoma Street to Water Street, and Water Street from Red River Road to Camelot Street on Saturday, June 16 from 10 am - 1 pm, for the Thunder Pride Parade

Roadwork Ahead:

The following areas are scheduled for road and other major infrastructure work, or are currently undergoing work, that is expected to affect traffic:

Sewer and Watermain Work:

  • Edward Street, between Parkway Drive and Churchill Drive, will be reduced to southbound traffic only, due to road and watermain work for about six weeks
  • Sewer and water construction in the McKellar Street area, from Dease Street to Bethune Street. Construction is expected to take up to 12 weeks to complete. Local access only
  • Storm sewer construction on Leith Street, from Archibald Street to McKellar Street
  • Westbound traffic lanes on Arthur Street, from Leland Street to Madison Street, will be closed for storm sewer construction. Work will begin mid-June and will continue for about four weeks. Through traffic will be diverted to one lane in each direction on the south side of the road. Side street closures and left turn restrictions may apply
  • Edward Street, between Parkway Drive and Churchill Drive, will be reduced to southbound traffic only, due to road and watermain work for about six weeks
  • Banning Street, between Cornwall Street and Bay Street, is closed to through traffic due to the reconstruction of the sanitary sewer and watermain. The road will be also be resurfaced. Work is expected to take up to eight weeks to complete
  • The area bound by High Street in the east, River Street in the south, Dobie Street in the west and Theresa Street in the north are currently having watermains cleaned and cement mortar lined. Work involves excavating pits in various locations to access watermains for cleaning and lining. Streets are drivable; please proceed with caution when driving near workers

Road, Street Lighting, Bridge and Sidewalk Improvements:

  • The Ministry of Transportation will be rehabilitating four bridge structures on Hwy 61 between Rosslyn Road and Broadway Avenue. The highway will remain open to traffic during the day, but detour at night to Neebing Avenue. Work is expected to take up to six months to complete
  • Rehabilitation of the Main Street Bridge has begun. Over the course of the construction season, motorists can expect single lanes and full closure of the structure as work is completed. Details about the project, potential closure times and detour routes can be found at tbaymainstreetbridge.com
  • The westbound curb lane of Red River Road, from High Street to about 100 metres west, will be closed for sidewalk and retaining wall repairs for about eight weeks
  • Work to complete the High Street Retaining Wall Reconstruction has begun. High Street will be closed between Bay Street and John Street with local-traffic access only. Through traffic should follow posted detours
  • Selkirk Street from Arthur Street to Walsh Street will be under construction until early July. Work will occur in block-to-block sections. No through traffic, local access only
  • Sidewalk replacement is occurring in various local areas: Miles Street, Donald Street, Walsh Street and Ford Street. Watch for workers and some traffic disruption. Parking and access to properties may occur
  • The north side of Frederica Street, from Brown Street to Edward Street, is slated for sidewalk replacement in mid-June. There will be no on-street parking on the north side as work proceeds. The road will be limited to one-way traffic eastbound. Temporary pedestrian access ramps into businesses may be necessary
  • Road resurfacing work is scheduled to begin on Court Street, between Egan Street and Gibson Street. Work includes replacement of curb and gutter sections, new sidewalk, and resurfacing of the street. During construction, sections of Court Street will be closed to through traffic. Closures will be limited to two-block sections at a time
  • 25th Side Road, from West Riverdale Road to city limits, will be resurfaced. Watch for lane closures as the work proceeds
  • Mountdale Avenue, from Mary Street heading north to the dead end, will be resurfaced. Curb and gutter improvements will also be made
  • Road resurfacing and storm sewer work has begun on Tarbutt Street, from Walnut Street to Victoria Avenue. Storm sewer work will continue onto Victoria Avenue, from Tarbutt Street westerly for 100 metres. Work will also involve resurfacing of Victoria Avenue, from Lillie Street to Waterloo Street. During construction on Victoria Avenue, traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction
  • Residential resurfacing work is scheduled to begin on Windsor Street, Highland Court, Superior Avenue and Bernard Street
  • Final lift paving will be completed on Hawkridge Drive, Frederica Street, Fortune Street and Mary Street. Watch for daily road closures. Local traffic access only
  • Black Bay Road, from Dewe Street to Hodder Avenue, will have existing asphalt removed and resurfaced. The work is scheduled to be completed by mid-June
  • The pedestrian underpass in the East End, commonly known as the Subway, is closed due to repairs for about four weeks, or until work is complete. Repairs include paint stripping, applying new anti-graffiti paint and interior lighting upgrades

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. For more information, visit thunderbay.ca/roadwork 

- 30 -

Contacts:    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