McARTHUR ISLAND – Work on upgrades to ring road will begin next week

The first stage of upgrades to the McArthur Island ring road will start next week.

The upgrades, valued at about $600,000, include repaving the southern section of road along the river from the old BMX park to west of the boat launch, and creating a three-metre multi-use pathway.

The re-constructed multi-use path will be wider than the existing path to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians and separated from the roadway by a linear strip of turf grass to improve safety.  A few memorial benches along the pathway will be temporarily removed and reinstalled after project completion.

Work will begin the week of June 22, with an anticipated completion date of mid-August. Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

While the Ring Road is currently closed to vehicular traffic as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the road will reopen on June 29 in conjunction with the opening of some sports fields. All vehicular traffic will be required to detour down the centre access road during construction.

The multi-use pathway will be closed to pedestrians Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. starting June 23 through to mid-July. Pedestrians are asked to use the detour route during these times. From mid-July to mid-August, the pathway will be fully closed at all times.

Pedestrians and motorists are advised to use caution when using the detour road and to be mindful of sharing the roadway. As with all construction projects, motorists are asked to use caution when driving in the vicinity and to obey all traffic control personnel and signage.

Stage 2 of the project is being considered for 2021.