While Sarnia residents may see a lot of work on The Rapids Parkway extension this year, it's not expected to open in 2023.
General Manager of Engineering and Operations David Jackson said right now they're preparing for phase two from Quinn Drive to Exmouth Street.
"So, as part of that, the tree removal work happened and soon we'll be doing some work to modify one of the large water chambers as part of the Lambton Area Water Supply System, just to get that in the right position," said Jackson.
He said the trees had to be removed from the Howard Watson Nature Trail area before March 31 to avoid bird nesting season, and a tender is out for construction of the road.
Trees removed from the Howard Watson Nature Trail to make way for The Rapids Parkway extension. March, 2023 Photo by Melanie Irwin
"The actual road work should be starting early summer, and then take us to the end of the year. Once we have a contractor on board, we'll confirm those dates."
Jackson said phase one of the project, north of Highway 402, is complete.
"We will be doing some landscaping, mainly some tree planting, there this spring and early summer."
Jackson said phase three will connect the two sections under the Highway 402 overpass.
"Because of some planned work they have coming up on that bridge, [the Ministry of Transportation] is actually going to complete that connection for us. So, we're still finalizing when that will occur. At this point we know it won't be this year, but will be in the next year or two hopefully."
The total project, which will see The Rapids Parkway connected to Exmouth Street, is estimated at $9.3 million.