Work is underway along a major east end road which is already seeing increased congestion due to closures associated with two major road projects in the city.
Efforts began Monday to install underground conduit and fibre optic cable along a section of Victoria Road South, starting near Arkell and Victoria roads. The project will run along the East side of Victoria Road South, stopping just before Eramosa River Park. It’s expected to take about eight weeks.
Part of the road is currently a detour route while the intersection at College and Edinburgh undergoes construction. The north end of the work area also nears York Road, which is closed in that area to all but local traffic.
However, the city believes there will only be “limited disruptions” for drivers and pedestrians.
“This work doesn’t involve construction on the road itself. Traffic will be maintained in both directions throughout the project; there won’t be lane reductions, and there is also no impact to pedestrian traffic (no sidewalk closures),” said city spokesperson Katherine Galley in an email.
“Delays may be expected as drivers often naturally slow down in construction zones to give adequate space to construction signs, traffic cones, workers and work vehicles parked on the shoulder of the road,” she said.
Galley said as with all construction projects, they ask drivers to extra care in construction zones to maintain the safety of workers, pedestrians and drivers. However, drivers are not asked to avoid the area.
“For the reasons outlined above, the impact of this work for drivers and pedestrians will be very limited.”
There is expected to be no disruption to businesses, transit or city services either.
Galley noted lane reductions seen Wednesday and Thursday mornings on the Victoria Road bridge over the Eramosa River are due to routine bridge maintenance and not part of this construction project.