Maidstone/Talbot reconstruction on schedule, Town explains why full closure was necessary
by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative
So far, the work being done to reconstruct the Maidstone Avenue/Talbot Street intersection is on schedule and construction is progressing well, Essex Council heard at the September 8 meeting.
Director of Infrastructure Services, Kevin Girard, provided an update to Council and addressed some concerns he has been hearing from residents and businesses about the project.
Back in June, the Essex Free Press reported that construction work for the Maidstone/Talbot intersection improvement project was awarded to D’Amore Construction (2000) Ltd. for $3,402,282.31. In addition, Council also approved the contract administration and onsite inspection, including as-built drawings and end-of-maintenance inspection services, to RC Spencer Associates in the amount of $152,640.
The additional funding of $803,003.31 was also approved above the approved 2026 Capital budget.
Originally, $3M was earmarked for the project. Originally, the plan did not include the storm sewer, but as the design was completed, it was noticed that it had to be upgraded, leading to the additional sidewalk work as well.
To date, the contractor has completed water main tie-ins, and underground servicing work is continuing. The new storm sewer along Maidstone Avenue has also started to be installed, beginning at Bell Avenue and progressing eastward.
The underground servicing work will continue for the next two-weeks or so, Girard explained. Following that, the project will transition towards completing roadway and intersection reconstruction.
It is anticipated at this time the intersection will reopen towards the end of November or early December, depending on weather and construction conditions.
At that point, it is anticipated the majority of the reconstruction work will be completed; however, seasonal work, such as line painting and certain crosswalk work, will need to be completed in the late spring of 2027, Girard relayed.
In answering why the intersection needs to be fully closed, Girard explained the Town of Essex recognizes the closure is creating a significant inconvenience for residents, commuters, and the school community, and in particular local businesses.
That full closure, however, allows the contractor to complete the underground infrastructure and intersection reconstruction safely and efficiently, he explained.
At this point in the construction season, Girard explained reopening the intersection would require significant changes to the construction staging, additional traffic control, and potentially additional costs. It could also extend the project by several months and leave the detour in place throughout the winter.
Staff did contact the contractor regarding a potential partial reopening of the intersection. He relayed the contractor noted the full closure remains the safest and most efficient approach.
Making significant changes to an awarded contract, Girard warned, may also have legal and procurement considerations the Town would have to carefully assess.
Factors such as school, seasonal traffic patterns, and local businesses were considered during the planning and staging of the work.
Unfortunately, delaying the project to a school break or another construction season would introduce additional cost and scheduling risk. That would not necessarily eliminate the impacts experienced by pedestrians, students, staff, and motorists.
The Town, he noted, is currently working on better communication and wayfinding signage, including estimated detour times and a video showing motorists how to navigate the route.
Online maps are also available to help motorists and pedestrians navigate the detours.
The Town and contractor have worked with Essex District High School to address traffic and pedestrian safety measures, particularly around arrival and dismissal. Girard said they will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments where possible.
Businesses in the area, Girard said, remain open and accessible. He said the Town recognizes a construction project of this size could be more difficult for customers to know how to reach them.
While staff recognize this is a challenging project for the community in the short-term, the completed project will provide significant long-term benefits, including improved traffic operations and turning movements, upgraded traffic signals and cyclist signals, new sidewalks and active transportation connections, improved water and storm sewer infrastructure, upgraded lighting, and a reconstructed road, Girard said.
Residents are encouraged to visit essex.ca for more information and can use the Report a Problem online portal, also available on the Town of Essex website, to report any issues.
Councillor Joe Garon noted the project is right in the middle of the pain portion. He noted Council and staff are trying to minimize the impact the project is having on businesses.
In terms of approving similar projects in the future, Garon suggested perhaps some other options, such as what it may take to not close the entire intersection all at once, including the cost to do so. That will help the public be aware of what Council faces when making decisions in terms of cost.
Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais asked if it would be possible to open up the road, or the parking lot, for the public through the high school to get through the detour. Girard noted that it is private property. Therefore, the Town cannot put traffic through this property. There would be concerns with liability, as it is a public space for children. The Town also has its recreational pool there, which also raises concerns with cut-through traffic.
Another question McGuire-Blais asked was why the Town didn't create a temporary road to create a better detour.
Girard responded that there are not a lot of places traffic can be detoured in Essex Centre. The old railroad corridor especially makes that difficult. Some of the suggested possible temporary road areas McGuire-Blais suggested are private lands, which would have required the Town to enter easement agreements and other legal agreements, which would have delayed the project. Not to mention, add to the capital cost of building a temporary road to take on that level of traffic.
McGuire-Blais echoed Garon's comments when it comes to also wanting additional options when approving road closures where there are limited detours. More notice to the businesses that would have been impacted and to the public would have also been nice.
McGuire-Blais knows many businesses are struggling and she encouraged residents and visitors to support them. Businesses on either side of the Maidstone intersection improvement project are being impacted.
Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley thanked everyone working on the project and trying to find solutions to some of the concerns brought forward.
Mayor Sherry Bondy thankedadministration for getting the Town's Report a Problem portal to have an entire section dedicated to the Maidstone reconstruction project. That way, residents could easily submit concerns and issues.
She also thanked CAO Kate Giurissevich, who was right out there in the field when concerns were received.
There are still things the Town can learn to make construction run more smoothly, Bondy added.
She thanked everyone for their patience.
