A section of Exmouth Street, between Lambton Mall Road and Pontiac Drive, will be closed to through traffic for the next couple of months to accommodate the next phase of construction of the Rapids Parkway extension.
Several trees were removed from the Howard Watson Nature Trail earlier this year in order to prepare for this stage of road work.
"It's a pretty big closure for us," said City of Sarnia Construction Manager Robert Williams. "The existing lights, which are there for the trail only, are being replaced with proper traffic signals that will accommodate the Howard Watson Nature Trail, as well as Rapids Parkway, and Exmouth Street."
Williams said a lot of the hardware, like the current pedestrian crossing lights, will be reused.
During construction, there will be no access from the Howard Watson Nature Trail to Exmouth Street, although the rest of the trail will be open. Once this phase of construction is complete, Williams said the trail will be reinstated, just slightly offset.
The intersection where the trail meets Exmouth Street will also be lowered by about 0.5 metres to improve the sightline for motorists.
It's hoped the construction work will be completed by late fall.
"We're basically rebuilding about 200 feet of that road at a lower elevation so [it'll take] at least two months," he said. "I would hope to be done by the end of October but there may be some delays."
In addition to the work on Exmouth Street, a new roundabout will be installed at Quinn Drive. Williams said the roundabout near Home Depot will be the second one within city limits.
"It's been a very busy summer, probably the busiest summer I can remember, which I think is really good for the city," he said. "It's really good that our council is supporting our capital budget. Our infrastructure needs improving and this is going to provide a vital link to the north and it's going to ease congestion in that busy commercial area."
During the closure on Exmouth Street, motorists can utilize Lambton Mall Road, London Road and Murphy Road as a detour.
Sarnia Transit Route 8/14 will also take alternative routes, beginning August 21. Details were posted to the city's website.
While the detour is in effect, there will be no transit service on Pontiac Drive and Exmouth Street between Pontiac Drive and Lambton Mall Road.
The contract for this phase of the roadwork project was awarded to Van Bree Drainage & Bulldozing Ltd.
Williams said this year's work associated with the parkway extension costs about $3.2 million (including tax).
Phase one of the project, north of Highway 402, was completed earlier this year. The final stage of work is expected to begin next year in order to connect the two sections under the Highway 402 overpass.
With files from Melanie Irwin