The City of Thunder Bay is sharing details of construction projects expected to impact drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in the month of July.

The City is investing $42 million in 2024 to fund crucial infrastructure work including road rehabilitation, sidewalk replacement, sewer and watermain repairs and replacements, and bridge and culvert renewal.

While this work is essential to maintain our community’s infrastructure, it can result in road closures, detours, and delays for travelers. The City hopes to minimize disruption by sharing project details with the public.

For more information and to view a map of 2024 construction projects, visit: https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-services/construction-projects.aspx

All motorists 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 major infrastructure work expected to affect traffic in July. Please note that scheduled dates are subject to change.

ROAD REHABILITATION

• Alice Avenue
Scheduled to start mid-July, last 2-3 weeks
Lane closures will be in place as grading and drainage improvements are carried out. Local traffic access will remain available.

• Wasco Drive
Underway, completion expected early August
Street will be closed for asphalt rehabilitation, with access for local traffic only.

• Arthur Street
Scheduled to start mid-to-late July, last 3-4 weeks
Traffic lanes will be reduced on Arthur Street between Mountdale Ave. and James St. to allow for asphalt resurfacing and minor repairs to curb, gutter, and catch basins. Minor lane closures are expected for the initial work. The intersections of Arthur St. & James St. and Arthur St. & Mountdale Ave. will be closed to north-south traffic during asphalt removal and paving.

• Balmoral Street
Underway, completion expected late August
Balmoral Street between Cameron St. and the Neebing/McIntyre Floodway will experience lane closures as work proceeds. Work will start in the boulevard for a new multi-use trail on the East side of Balmoral. During this time lane closures will be in place. Travel lanes will be further reduced later in the summer as asphalt rehabilitation and intersection improvements proceed.

• Harbour Expressway
Scheduled to start late July, last approx. 3 weeks
A portion of the Harbour Expressway between Carrick St. and Fort William Rd. will be resurfaced. Motorists should expect rotating lane closures and traffic delays once work begins.

• Edward Street
Scheduled to start late July/early August, last approx. 3 weeks
Road will be fully closed between Riverview Dr. and Victoria Ave. while resurfacing takes place. Detours will be posted.

• Memorial Avenue & Harbour Expressway intersection
Underway, completion expected late July
Improvements include re-building existing traffic signals and repaving the intersection. Partial lane closures will be in place for several weeks, with some partial intersection closures overnight.

• Mountdale Boat Launch parking lot
Underway, completion expected late September
Boat launch and park area closed until completion of renewal project. The public is encouraged to use Mission Island Boat Launch on 107th Ave., Mission Island for alternate access.

SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION

• Donald Street
Sidewalk will be closed for replacement on the North side of Donald Street between Edward St. and Oakwood St.

• Junot Avenue
Sidewalks on both sides of Junot Avenue will be replaced between Red River Rd. and Stardust Cres.

• Walsh Street East
A Pedestrian Crossover will be installed on Walsh Street East at the East side of Tarbutt St., near Hyde Park Public School. Construction may cause minor disruption to pedestrian and vehicle traffic, including sidewalk obstructions.

• Leland Avenue
The sidewalk on the West side of Leland Avenue South will be replaced between Victoria Ave. W and Donald St. W. Road will remain open for local traffic.

• Redwood Avenue
The sidewalk on the North side of Redwood Avenue W. will be replaced between University Dr. and Sherbrooke St. The sidewalk will be closed to pedestrian access during construction. Streetlights will be temporarily out of service for replacement.

SEWER & WATERMAIN

• North core streetscape renewal
Underway, completion expected in November
Red River Rd. and Cumberland St. will experience closures as work proceeds to replace underground infrastructure and transform the streetscape in Thunder Bay’s north core

During July, Red River Rd. will be fully closed between Cumberland St. and Court St., as well as the Red River Rd. & Cumberland St. intersection and surrounding roadway.

Pedestrian access to area businesses remains available.

A directional change remains in place at Cooke St. with traffic flowing eastward to provide access to St. Paul St.
Updates are available at thunderbay.ca/northcoreproject

• Current Avenue and Current Bay
Underway, substantial completion expected by late September
Street is closed, with access for local traffic only.

• Simpson Street & Dease Street
Throughout 2024 construction season
In July, Dease Street will be fully closed between Simpson and May streets to allow for work including replacement of sewer, water and stormwater infrastructure and roadway resurfacing. Closures on Simpson Street are expected to begin in August between Rowand St and Dease St. Alternate routes will be signed.

• Poplar Avenue
Underway, completion expected by November
Poplar Avenue will experience road closures between Windsor St. and Maple Ave. for rehabilitation of watermains and sanitary sewers as well as road resurfacing.

• Central Avenue
Scheduled to start July 15
Central Avenue will be closed between Golf Links Rd. and Burwood Rd. for storm and sanitary sewer work. Businesses on Central Ave. and Burwood Rd. can be accessed via Burwood Rd. from the North, off Oliver Rd.

BRIDGE, CULVERT & STORMWATER

• McKellar Bridge
Throughout 2024 construction season
Work on the bridge will take place throughout the 2024 construction season. The bridge will remain open, but lane closures may occur. Please be aware of workers while travelling in the area of the bridge.

• Pedestrian Bridges
Throughout 2024 construction season
Work is ongoing to replace pedestrian bridges at Brent Street and County Park. The structures have been removed and pedestrian detours are posted.

A new pedestrian bridge is being constructed over the McIntyre River in George Burke Park, in the area behind Bishop EQ Jennings school. Work will take place throughout July on the bridge crossing. Adjacent trails will be blocked at times as crews construct the bridge. Please follow posted detours. Some trailwork behind Fairbrooke Crescent is close to completion and expected to open in mid-July.