As the High Street Reconstruction Project nears completion, noticeable progress continues to be made throughout the downtown area. The majority of underground and surface works are now complete, with finishing touches such as paving, landscaping, and streetscape enhancements well underway. The project team appreciates the community’s ongoing patience and cooperation as work enters its final stages.

As the project gets closer to the finish line, here's what's been done so far:

• All underground storm infrastructure has been installed from Grosvenor St to Victoria St.
• Road base and first layer of asphalt were completed on south side from Grosvenor St to Victoria St, as well as on north side between Albert St and Victoria St.
• All curbs have been installed from Grosvenor St to Victoria St.
• All sidewalks have been installed from Grosvenor St to Victoria St.
• Interlock brick placement has occurred on south side between Grosvenor St. and Victoria St.
• Road granular base has been placed on north side between Grosvenor St. and Albert St.
• All tinted concrete aprons have been installed between Grosvenor St. and Victoria St.
• Removal of temporary traffic signals from the intersection of High St. and Albert St.

Parking has now been reinstated on the south side between Grosvenor Street and Victoria Street. Additional parking on the north side between Grosvenor Street and Albert Street will be restored as interlocking brick work is completed. Please note that parking spaces within the project area may be temporarily unavailable as landscaping crews progress with brick installation.

Please note, the current lane configuration on High Street, including the absence of designated left-turn lanes, is a temporary condition in place to facilitate ongoing construction activities. Once the top course asphalt is placed and final line painting is completed, the left-turn lanes on High Street will be re-established in accordance with the approved design plans.

The present layout, including the temporary traffic controls, is intended to safely manage vehicle and pedestrian movements during construction. Final pavement markings and signal adjustments will be completed as part of the finishing stages of the project to restore full functionality to the High Street and Albert Street intersection.

Visit the project page and click the Design tab for to view the approved design plans.

This week the Contractor will paving the final layers of asphalt on High Street between Grosvenor Street and Albert Street. While top course asphalt is being placed, this block will be closed to vehicular traffic to ensure a seamless and more durable surface. Sidewalks will remain open to pedestrians. This work is expected to be completed in one day (8am-7pm).

Landscaping crews will continue installing interlocking brick along the north side as well. Next week, crews will also be removing and re-paving asphalt within the High Street and Albert Street intersection. While this work is underway, traffic will be reduced to one lane with alternating access to ensure vehicles can still pass through safely.

• Final layers of asphalt are expected to be completed on Wednesday, October 15 between Grosvenor St and Albert St
• Two-way traffic is expected to be reinstated on Thursday, October 16 within the Grosvenor St. to Albert St. block.
• Asphalt work between Huron St and Grosvenor St is expected to be completed the week of October 27.
• Line painting and signal adjustments will be completed following final paving.
• The Contractor will be installing streetscape furniture along High Street periodically over the next two weeks

“Shave and pave” asphalt work for the Huron Street to Grosvenor Street block was added to the High Street 2025 construction scope and is expected to be completed in the week of October 27^th. Preparation for that work included the planned removal of the existing mid-block bump-outs which allows for four more parking spaces on that block. The contractor is deploying additional resources to this so that the timeline to complete Phase 1 is not affected.

Completing this task in fall of 2025 will help advance the overall project schedule and will allow the final surface asphalt layer to be placed in one continuous application, resulting in a seamless and more durable surface with an extended service life.

While this is underway, there may be brief periods when parking and vehicle access within the construction area are restricted. These interruptions are expected to be short in duration, and alternate detour routes will be provided as needed.