First Street Reconstruction - The End is in Sight!

After several weeks of lane closures, residents and visitors alike will soon be able to enjoy the benefits that will be provided via the reconstruction of First Street.  The new format will include a much needed centre, left hand turn lane, a feature that has desperately been needed for years.  Commencing today (Monday June 21st) final paving is to begin on what has been a lengthy construction process that has often tested the patience of drivers and pedestrians alike. 
Westbound lanes, those on the north side of First Street will start to receive their final coat of asphalt starting tonight at 7:00pm continuing through to 6:00am tomorrow morning.  The schedule for this work is as follows:

Intersection of High and First Streets 7:00 to 9:30pm
High to Elm Streets 9:00 to 10:20pm
Elm to Spruce Streets  9:50 to 11;10pm
Spruce to Hickory Streets  10:40 to Midnight
Hickory to Walnut Streets  11:30 to 12:50pm
Walnut to Cedar Streets  12:20 to 1:40am
Cedar to Oak Streets  1:10 to 2:30am
Oak to Birch Street  2:00 to 3:20am
Birch to Beech Streets  2:50 to 4:10am
Beech to Maple Streets  3:40 to 5:00am
Maple to Pine  4:30 to 6:00am

The second phase of this final paving will begin tomorrow evening (Tuesday June 22nd) with working being done on the eastbound lanes or the south side of First Street. As with tonight, work will start at the far west end of First proceeding east to Pine Street.  The construction schedule for this segment of the work is the same as above.  During these time slots access to the respective side streets will be closed for the laying and compacting of the asphalt as well as to provide a safe working environment for the construction crew and their equipment.

Overall, construction for the first Street project is reported as being ahead of schedule.  Between the work in this area, the reconstruction of Huronatrio Street and other projects around town it seems at times that we are in a war zone and I can only imagine what visitors to the area must think.  The curb lanes on First Street have been effectively closed for a least two months now and while there were some unfinished sections of curbing plus some raised or exposed manholes, these lanes have for the most part been absent of workers during this time.  Perhaps with the right measures being taken, those lanes lanes could and should have been reopened at least on weekends.
Nonetheless, the finish line is in sight and none too soon.  In less than two weeks school will be out and the summer holiday season will be upon us bringing with it visitors which we hope with have a lasting and favourable impression of our revitalized downtown core and improved First Street (Highway 26) corridor.  We may not have had the same investment into our Town that Huntsville has had for the G8 Summit, but in addition to some noteworthy infrastructure improvements, at least we have a "real" lake.