Sandwich Towne braces for next phases of road work set to start in spring

A section of Sandwich Street from Ojibway Parkway to Chappell Avenue in Sandwich Towne has been under construction for 14 weeks, with traffic only able to flow eastward. Westbound traffic has been diverted down Prince Road.

That is about to end soon, however, as residents and business owners brace for the largest chunk of the construction project.

It includes work on Sandwich Street — from Chappell Avenue eastward through the Sandwich Towne business section — to the roundabout at Rosedale Avenue.

"We're hoping that it will be worth the wait, but you know they're still going to impact the the businesses here," said Terry Kennedy, who attended a briefing session on the Gordie Howe International Bridge Wednesday, which included updates on the road construction.

The owner of Rock Bottom restaurant says she's "absolutely" concerned how the construction work will affect her operation.

"We're trying to save every penny, but also we're hoping to do some fun pedestrian friendly things if it gets to the point where it gets difficult to get here by car," said Nicole Sekela.

She says she's been assured by the city that traffic will flow both ways during the next phase of the project.

Nicole Sekela, co-owner of Rock Bottom, is concerned about how the next phase of a road construction work in the Sandwich Towne area will affect her operation. (Jennifer La Grassa/CBC)

However, Ward 2 Coun. Fabio Costante says he still has to get it confirmed by the engineering department but says it's also his preference.

"The more we can keep traffic flowing in the normal pattern of flow, the better," said Costante.

"There's going to be some disruption. But again, even the BIA acknowledges that the short term pain will be worth it because the long term benefits are going to greatly outweigh the few months where there's going to be disruption."

Ward 2 councillor Fabio Costante says he's hopeful two-way traffic can be maintained during the project's next phase but adds there's going to be some disruption for residents and businesses. (Jason Viau/CBC)

Construction on that section, as well as a strip from the Ojibway Parkway intersection west to McKee Road, will begin in the spring and last several months.