A major road reconstruction project in Grand Bend has been paused for the summer as the resort town sees its usual spike in tourists.
Watermains, storm sewers and other underground infrastructure in the area of Ontario Street and Main Street has been replaced, and crews have installed temporary surface coating.
Lambton Shores Mayor Bill Weber said keeping the busy roads closed for the summer would have a negative impact on local businesses.
"It goes without saying that we need the traffic there through the summer season," said Weber. "We were hearing from some that it was slowing their business down. Everyone realizes that it has to be done and there's no good time to do it. We've chosen the 'shoulder seasons' to keep the construction to a minimum through the summer."
The next phase of the project will see the widening of the Ontario Street Bridge, which is expected to start this September. The project will be paused again for the summer of 2023 and then the top deck on the bridge will be replaced.
It will add an additional traffic lane to the bridge and create a much-needed turning lane to help with traffic flow.
In 2021, the province announced $4.8 million in funding for the bridge project.
Weber said the municipality will be on the hook for some costs but said they have to wait until the tender comes in to know exactly how much.
Rendering of lane configurations- widening of Highway 21 Bridge. (Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Lambton Shores)