The third and final phase of the Plank Road reconstruction project is expected to begin within the next couple of weeks and be completed by late summer.
Sarnia City Council recently awarded a tender of $3.5 million to Van Bree Drainage and Bulldozing Limited for phase three of the project, which spans from just south of McGregor Sideroad to Highway 40.
The project includes the replacement of the 300 millimetre water main, new water services to properties, new asphalt overlay, and wide paved shoulders for active transportation.
Construction Manager Robert Williams said some work may start next week but it'll really pick up after Easter.
"We'll be putting temporary water mains together the week after Easter, and starting to box some driveways, put some signs up, and we're expecting to close the road, starting around the middle of April, to through traffic," he said.
Williams said there will be roving closures but traffic updates will be shared over social media (including Ontario 511) and should appear on navigation devices.
"The closure (for through traffic) will proceed south on Plank Road as the contractor installs the water main," he said. "So there will be times where the public may have to enter from one direction or the other, and that's possible to change as we proceed down the road."
Phase one of the project began in 2022, between Indian Road and McGregor Side Road. Phase two of the project was completed in July 2023 and spanned from McGregor Sideroad to Gladwish Drive.
"In our phase two, we redesigned the project to rehabilitate the existing road rather than build a new road," he said. "We also installed the water main by conventional digging as opposed to drilling, which is what we did in phase one."
Williams said the expected lifespan for the water main is 75 to 100 years and the recycled road shouldn't need resurfacing for about 20 years.
Williams said it will be great to see the project finally completed.
"We just appreciate everybody's patience," he said
Prior to the construction process, Plank Road was often regarded as the worst road in southwestern Ontario, according to CAA's Worst Roads Campaign. Last year, it was voted as the second worst in the region.