Road Closures and Construction

About the Project

The Town of St. Marys will begin cleanup work at the West Quarry on Monday, April 27, 2026 as part of the West Quarry Enhancements Project. The work will improve site safety, address invasive species, reduce long-term liabilities, and prepare the area for future passive recreational use.

The 2026 cleanup is supported through a partnership with the Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation (TOARC). Construction activities are anticipated to occur in May and June 2026, with restoration and demobilization planned to be complete before the start of the swimming quarry season on June 26, 2026.

Work planned for the site includes: 

• Removing existing chain link fence along the west edge of the site to improve water access. Scenic wooden fencing, armour stone, and signage will be installed where steep shoreline conditions limit safe water access.
• Removing waste concrete and steel material throughout the site.
• Clearing overgrowth, invasive species, and unhealthy trees. Following an Arborist’s inspection, it is anticipated that 26 healthy trees will be retained. Any trees removed will be replaced at a three to one ratio within the Town of St. Marys.
• In consultation with the Horticultural Society, spade and relocate memorial trees in the south end of the Peace Garden.
• Regrading the embankment where feasible and restoring the area with hydroseeding/turf to support ongoing maintenance as open greenspace.
• Retaining and fencing off the six concrete pillars at the north end of the site.

Temporary impacts during construction: 

To maintain a safe work zone, a section of the Riverview Walkway adjacent to the West Quarry will be closed. The closure is expected to last for approximately five weeks and will be located between the racket courts and St. Maria Street. The public parking lot between the West Quarry and the racket courts, as well as the parking lot on St. Maria Street will be closed to accommodate construction equipment. The public parking lot on the south side of the racket courts will remain open, and no disruption to the racket courts or Lind Sportsplex is anticipated.

Next steps: 

Updates to the public will continue during the cleanup period through our social media channels and/or website www.townofstmarys.com/construction. The Riverview Walkway will be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so. The hydroseeded area will be roped off until grass is established, with a plan to have it open for the public to enjoy as a greenspace by mid-summer. 

Affected Areas

• Thomas St. from Jones St. to Queen St.
• Ontario St. to Jones St.
• Jones St. between Ontario St. and Thomas St.

About the Project

Currently these road segments are high priority for reconstruction following the Town’s 10-year Capital Plan, based on known surface conditions and required underground repairs/upgrades. The work will begin with temporary water main installation and initial removals the week of April 20, 2026 and is scheduled for completion on August 30, 2026.

Project Scope

The scope of work includes the full reconstruction of both asphalt and concrete roadway sections to address existing wear and extend the lifespan of these important corridors.

In addition to road surface upgrades, the project will involve the replacement of watermains to enhance system reliability and reduce the risk of future service disruptions.

Isolated sanitary sewer repairs and targeted storm system repairs will be completed to improve drainage and environmental performance.

The project also features the installation of new sidewalks, as well as new curbs and gutters to improve accessibility, pedestrian safety and stormwater management along these routes.

Updates: 

• Week of April 20: Temporary water main installation and initial removals 

About the Project

The Town of St. Marys will soon be replacing the Bolton Drain culvert under Queen Street W. Work is scheduled to start the week of November 17. There will be a road closure that will significantly impact commute time for some residents in the area.

Project Scope

Watermain Installation

A watermain needs to be moved out of the way to accommodate the new culvert structure. Watermain installation will occur on the week of November 17. There will be one day the week of November 24 where drinking water needs to be turned off to accommodate the connection of the new watermain pipe. Further details will be delivered by the Town’s operating authority to those affected.

Road Closure/Detour 

A full road closure will start Monday November 24 for an anticipated duration of 2.5 weeks. The Town expects to open the road on Wednesday December 10. During that time, residents will need to drive out to Rannoch and then back in around Line 10/Line 14 to James St. N. The road closure is inconvenient but necessary to ensure a relatively quick construction schedule before winter.

Temporary lane closures either before or after the full road closure may be implemented from time to time to accommodate specific work adjacent to the road.

Installation of Temporary Asphalt  

Temporary asphalt will be installed to get us through the winter. Final restoration including concrete and asphalt will be completed in the spring of 2026.

Updates: 

• Week of Nov 17: Watermain relocation 
• Week of Nov 24: Drinking water will be turned off (for one day), Road closure will start (approx. 2.5 weeks)

Project updates

The remaining top coat of asphalt will be installed in the future. 

About the project

Procurement: Tendered

Contractor: COPE Construction & Contracting Inc.

Cost: $1.9 million

Map of construction area

The Town has assessed the Egan Ave. reconstruction project against the current provincial legislation and determined that the project will proceed at this time.

The contractor has a policy for employees and subcontractors working during the pandemic and have enhanced measures in place following healthcare guidelines to reduce the risk of potential transmission of COVID-19 at the project site. Measures include but are not limited to:

• Physical distancing
• Personal protective equipment
• Hand washing stations on site

The Town will be reviewing the project regularly with the contractor to ensure the safety measures are adhered to.

While interacting with workers, please maintain a 2m (6 ft.) distance.

Project components

The project will include:

• Watermain replacement
• Storm sewer replacement
• Sanitary sewer extension
• Sidewalk replacements and improvements
• Curb and gutter installation
• Asphalt road replacement
• Peel Street and Egan Ave. intersection improvement

About the Project

The Town of St. Marys is scheduled to reconstruct four blocks of Elgin St. E in the summer of 2025, from Wellington St. S to James St. S with ASG Excavating Inc. from Strathroy.

Project Scope

Underground Infrastructure

Underground work will include:

• installing a new storm sewer from Church St. S to Wellington St. S
• replacing water service from the water main to property lines
• making isolated repairs to the sanitary sewer

Above Ground Infrastructure

The project will involve:

• replacing concrete curbs
• replacing the road base
• replacing asphalt
• replacing sidewalks that have deteriorated

Work Schedule

The project is expected to take 15 weeks and finish by September 2025, with topcoat asphalted paved in 2026. 

Once the schedule is prepared and confirmed, project timeline details will be posted on this webpage. You can subscribe to receive email updates by clicking the 'Receive email updates' button at the bottom of the page.

Updates: 

• Week of Sept 8: Concrete sidewalk installation, prep for asphalt
• Week of Sept 15: Paving of road and driveways
• Week of Sept 22: Boulevard and misc. cleanup. Sod installation

Important information: Paving will typically start at 7:00 a.m. and residents are asked to move vehicles out of driveways before tack coat is installed.  Tack coat will be applied to the road to ensure a good bond between the existing asphalt and new asphalt. This material will stick to cars and tires and track into driveways, so residents asked not to drive through it. Asphalt can be driven on once the paving crew has moved on. Residents are asked to not park on the new asphalt for a couple days following paving. If a road is closed and a resident needs to get into their driveway, speak to a construction worker and accommodations will be made if possible.