The $6 million reconstruction of St. Clair and Lite Streets in the Village of Point Edward is scheduled to start next month.
Chief Administrative Officer Jim Burns said the roads will be totally rebuilt between Front Street and Michigan Avenue.
"It will [include] replacement of the waterline, spot repairs on some storm and sanitary [sewers], as well as the total reconstruction of the road, curbs and sidewalks, and a multi-purpose path on the bridge side of the street," Burns said.
He said physical work will start around the first of April.
"That's the current plan, but it's all weather dependent," Burns said. "Some of the pre-approval work is going to be starting this week. There will be a contractor going in to do some condition assessments on homes, just to make sure there's no cracking and such in the foundation and we can note the existing condition before the construction starts."
Burns said the first thing people will see is locate work being done.
"That's being done now, locating the underground infrastructure," he said. "Probably in about two weeks we'll start to see the temporary waterline installed. Because the existing line is being completely replaced, we have to put in a temporary line to provide water to all of our customers."
Burns believes it's been 50 or 60 years since the streets have seen a major job like this.
"It's been a long time coming. We've been planning this for seven or eight years now. It's the biggest project that the Village of Point Edward has ever undertaken," he said.
The project includes traffic calming measures -- lane reductions, bump outs and a crosswalk -- and incentives for residents to replace the water lines on their private property.
"It's going to be short term pain for long term comfort," he said. "The first phase is starting at Front Street and going to Bridge Street and then three more phases after that. We're also doing some work at the intersection of Helena and Louisa Streets. We just ask that people be patient and we'll get through this together."
McNally Excavating Ltd. was awarded the project and MIG Engineering is assisting with project management.
Garbage, recycling and compost collection days will not be affected by the work.
Burns said about $2.5 million from annual upper tier funding contributions was saved for the infrastructure project, which is expected to be completed in September.