Yes, the project remains on schedule and construction is progressing well. Watermain tie-ins are anticipated to be completed by September 4, 2026, and affected residents and businesses have been notified. The contractor has also begun installing the storm sewer along Maidstone Avenue, starting at Bell Avenue and progressing east of Albert Street.

Underground servicing is expected to continue through most of September.

The intersection is currently scheduled to reopen at the end of November or early December 2026, depending on weather and construction conditions.

Some finishing work, including line painting and certain crosswalk works, may need to be completed in late spring 2027.

The full closure allows the contractor to complete the required underground infrastructure and intersection reconstruction safely and efficiently.

The available construction window is becoming increasingly limited. Reopening the intersection at this stage would require changes to the construction staging and additional traffic-control measures, which could significantly increase costs and potentially extend the overall project timeline by several months.

Reopening now could also result in the detour remaining in place throughout the winter, creating additional challenges for winter control, road maintenance and construction activities.

The project was tendered and awarded based on the approved scope, with the goal of completing the work efficiently while keeping costs as low as possible for taxpayers.

The project was tendered and awarded based on the approved scope of work. Adding significant additional work after a contract has been awarded can create procurement and legal concerns, particularly if the changes materially alter the evaluated bid amount or scope. For this reason, the Town must carefully assess any significant changes to an awarded construction contract to ensure the procurement process remains fair and compliant.

The school year, seasonal traffic patterns, and impacts to local businesses were considered as part of the project planning and construction staging. However, delaying construction until a school break or the following construction season would have introduced additional costs and scheduling risks, and would not necessarily have eliminated the impacts to the surrounding road network and businesses. 

Given these considerations, the project proceeded as scheduled, with measures being implemented to mitigate impacts to the school and the surrounding community. These measures include maintaining access where feasible, coordinating construction activities and traffic management around school operations, and monitoring traffic conditions as construction progresses. The project team will continue to work with the school, local businesses, and other affected stakeholders to address concerns and adjust construction activities where reasonably possible.

We understand the uncertainty a water service interruption can cause for a business or household, and our goal is to provide timely communication and minimize disruptions whenever possible. For planned water shutdowns related to watermain tie-ins and reconstruction work, the Town typically provides approximately 24 hours' notice.

Construction schedules can be affected by factors outside the Town's control, including weather, material deliveries, equipment availability, and staffing. Providing significantly longer notice is therefore not always practical. For example, if a shutdown is scheduled 72 hours in advance and poor weather subsequently forces the work to be postponed, a business may have already changed staffing, inventory, appointments, or operating plans unnecessarily. A new notice would then need to be issued for the revised date.

The goal is to provide notice as soon as the timing of the work can be reasonably confirmed.

Yes, Communications staff have driven the detour routes to identify gaps and opportunities for improved wayfinding.

The Town is working on:

• Additional wayfinding signage along detour routes, including estimated detour times.
• A video showing motorists how to navigate the detour routes.
• Town-branded signage reminding residents and visitors that local businesses remain open.
• Individual online detour maps for each route, rather than displaying all detours on one combined map.

The Town will provide updates as these initiatives are implemented.

The Town reviewed a number of options during project planning, however, providing a detour route through the ERC/EDHS lands is not feasible.

The parking lot is privately owned and was not designed or intended to function as a public roadway carrying detour traffic. Introducing through traffic would require the consent of the property owner and would create significant safety, operational, and liability concerns, particularly given the presence of ERC and school-related traffic, pedestrians, students, staff, and visitors using the site.

In addition, the parking lot geometry, traffic circulation patterns, and access points were not designed to accommodate the volume and type of traffic associated with a major road detour. Redirecting public traffic through the site could damage the parking lot, increase congestion, create conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, and negatively affect the day-to-day operations of the property.

For these reasons, the Town's approved detour routes utilize public roads that are designed, regulated, and maintained to accommodate vehicular traffic safely during construction.

Constructing a temporary road around the intersection would be a significant infrastructure project on its own. It would require land acquisition or permissions to access private property, engineering design, environmental and utility reviews, drainage considerations, construction, maintenance, and eventual removal and site restoration once the project is complete.

The cost of creating a temporary road for a project of this duration would be substantial and would ultimately be borne by taxpayers. In many cases, temporary roads can cost more than the transportation benefits they provide during the construction period.

As a result, the most practical and cost-effective approach is to use established detour routes on the existing road network while construction proceeds.

Pedestrian access and accessibility for people with mobility challenges will be maintained throughout construction to the extent reasonably possible. The contractor is required to provide safe, accessible routes around the work area and to maintain access to businesses, properties, and other key destinations.

Where existing sidewalks or pedestrian routes are affected by construction, temporary pedestrian routes, crossings, signage, and other traffic control measures will be provided as required. Temporary routes will be designed and maintained to accommodate people with mobility challenges, including consideration of appropriate surfaces, grades, widths, and transitions.

The Town recognizes that construction activity near the school will create additional challenges during school arrival and dismissal times. Traffic and pedestrian safety around the school are a key consideration throughout construction.

The contractor is required to follow an approved traffic management plan and implement appropriate traffic control measures to safely manage vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists through the construction area. The Town is also coordinating with the school to identify concerns and, where feasible, adjust construction activities and traffic control measures to minimize impacts during the busiest school periods.

The Town will continue to monitor traffic conditions as construction progresses and work with the contractor and school to address issues that arise. The goal is to maintain safe access to the school and surrounding area while allowing the project to proceed as efficiently as possible.

View the Essex District High School Walking Detour Map.

All contacts for the project along with project updates are available on this page.

The Town recognizes that the closure has an impact on local businesses and is taking steps to improve access, visibility and awareness. Economic Development is preparing communications for affected businesses outlining available supports, upcoming signage initiatives and the rationale for the full intersection closure.

The Town will also seek input from impacted businesses regarding additional supports that could be considered during the remainder of the project.

Yes, the Town is working with the Essex Centre BIA on additional initiatives to encourage residents and visitors to continue supporting local businesses. Stay tuned for further details!

Yes, businesses in the area remain open and accessible.

The Town recognizes that construction can make it more difficult for customers to know how to reach local businesses. Improving wayfinding and promoting that businesses remain open are therefore important components of the Town's response.

Underground servicing is expected to continue through most of September. The contractor is currently progressing with storm sewer installation along Maidstone Avenue, following the work eastward from Bell Avenue.

The intersection is currently scheduled to reopen at the end of November or early December 2026, depending on weather and construction conditions. The Town will continue to provide updates as the project progresses.

The majority of the intersection reconstruction is expected to be complete when the intersection reopens. Some seasonal finishing work may need to be completed later. This could include line painting and certain crosswalk works, which may be completed in late spring 2027.

The Town understands that major construction projects can cause frustration, inconvenience and uncertainty for residents, businesses and motorists. Staff are actively responding to incoming Report a Problem (RAP) submissions and other concerns and are reviewing opportunities to make adjustments where appropriate. Where issues are identified, staff will assess whether changes can reasonably be made while maintaining the project's safety, schedule, contractual requirements and approved scope.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to contact the Town through the Report a Problem (RAP) system or Customer Service at 519-776-7336 ext. 1100/1101. Please include specific information about the location and nature of the concern, along with photographs where appropriate so that staff can investigate and respond more efficiently.