9th Avenue East Road Project to Resume in Spring After Winter Pause
Final work on Owen Sound’s 9th Avenue East project, originally set to finish in November, is delayed until spring; Phase 2 will begin immediately after.
Drivers in Owen Sound can expect more construction on 9th Avenue East this spring, as remaining work from Phase 1 of the city’s major rehabilitation project is completed and Phase 2 begins.
The update comes from staff comments recorded in the January 22 Operations Committee meeting minutes, which are included in Council’s February 9 consent agenda.
While most of the first phase was finished before winter, a portion of watermain installation and surface restoration still needs to be completed. According to Director of Public Works and Engineering Lara Widdifield, that work will resume this spring and lead directly into the next phase of construction.
The project, which began construction in July 2025, involves full reconstruction of 9th Avenue East (Highway 6/10) between Superior Street and 10th Street East. It includes replacing aging underground infrastructure, expanding sidewalks, and resurfacing the roadway.
The total approved budget is $5.13 million, with $2.7 million coming from Ontario’s Connecting Link program through the Ministry of Transportation.
Much of the Phase 1 work concluded in late fall. In a November 28 public notice, the City said 6th Street East would reopen to traffic by December 3 and that transit detours affecting stops near Lee Manor and the Courthouse would end the same day.
While the road has remained open through the winter, the return of construction this spring means traffic and transit impacts are likely to resume—though no specific start date has been announced.
Phase 2 will continue along the same corridor and is expected to proceed immediately after the remaining Phase 1 work is completed. Design and engineering for the project were completed between 2022 and 2024.
The February 9 update appears on Council’s consent agenda and is not expected to be discussed unless pulled for separate consideration. The City will issue further notices to residents before construction resumes.
Staff Provide Updates on Additional Public Works Projects
Deputy Mayor Scott Greig also requested updates on two other ongoing infrastructure files: the 16th Avenue Sanitary Replacement project and the City’s Stormwater Management Master Plan.
Staff reported that the sanitary replacement work is about 75 percent complete but experienced delays due to unexpected issues. A temporary connection has been installed to maintain service through the winter, with the final 75 metres of sanitary pipe to be installed once construction resumes in the spring.
The Stormwater Management Master Plan is approximately 60 percent complete, with a target completion date of February 6. Preliminary recommendations include improving water quality across the system through enhanced drainage swales and localized drainage upgrades.
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