Port Elgin’s main street will be getting a facelift.
4.25 kms of repaving work is planned on Goderich Street (Highway 21) through Port Elgin.
It’s set to be completed from Concession 6 in the south end of town to Concession 10 in the north end.
Manager of Engineering Services Ruhul Amin says, “The consultant is working on the design at this time. Once we complete the design, then we have to tender it out.”
The Town has approved the use of a Connecting Links grant of $2,691,000 from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). The estimated full cost is $2,990,000.
Amin says work could begin in the fall of 2024 and pick back up in the spring of 2025, or it might not start until 2025, depending on how quickly design work is completed.
One consideration will be the addition of bike lanes.
Amin told council August 12th, consultants are looking into it, though the town needs the approval of the MTO for bike lanes.
He says a traffic control plan is being developed, and thinks that outside of the downtown area, traffic will still be able to flow in both directions. “Within the downtown area we also need to find a way we can minimize the impact on traffic flow.”
Amin says the project is in its early stages and notes there will be opportunities for public input. “We will have a public information centre, we will also have an engagement session with the BIA, with the chamber of commerce and also other stakeholders.”
He anticipates some of those meetings may happen this fall.
“During the construction, it is our plan to always have input from local businesses and we will do our best to minimize impact on the businesses,” says Amin.
Port Elgin’s downtown boasts interlocking red brick intersections with maple leaves in the centre. Amin told council Monday, the interlocking brick at some of them will be removed and then placed back in after work is done underneath. The interlocking brick designs are expected to be brighter red as well.