Get ready for some detours and delays on one of Chatham's busiest roads.
Grand Avenue West will be closed from Lacroix Street to Keil Drive North for an "extended period" starting Monday, July 22 after a large sinkhole was discovered under the westbound lanes of Grand Avenue in front of Crabby Joe's Restaurant.
Grand Avenue West has already been down to two lanes for a few days as a result, but now the road is set for a full closure.
A release from the municipality said the closure will only affect through traffic, adding local traffic will still be permitted up to each side of the repair project site and that all businesses along Grand Avenue West will still be open and accessible.
Drivers will also still be able to access the court building, the Chatham-Kent Children's Treatment Centre, and the Family Services building while repairs are taking place.
Detour signs will be posted on Grand Avenue, Lacroix Street, and Keil Drive -- they will direct traffic to take Richmond Street via Lacroix Street and Keil Drive.
While crews were inspecting the sinkhole, they learned that the problem was caused by a failed drainage culvert under Grand Avenue West (pictured below). It provides an outlet to the Thames River for the drain that borders the courthouse and the restaurant parking lot at Crabby Joe's.
Chatham-Kent's Director of Drainage Tim Dick said as a result of that collapse, the repair will require deep excavation and numerous utilities to be re-routed. It will also require proper drainage to be installed under the road to the river.
It's not clear how long the construction will take, but municipal officials said, "Crews will endeavour to complete the work as quickly as possible."
Click here to see a map of the detour that will be in place.