Starting as early as Monday, January 12, weather and other conditions permitting, Simcoe Street will close, between Avenue and Albany streets in Central Oshawa, as work begins to replace the Simcoe Street Bridge.
The bridge replacement is needed to support construction of the Bowmanville Extension. These upgrades will accommodate a new GO track essential for new service, said Metrolinx yesterday.
It said the new bridge must be built higher, longer, and wider to meet modern design standards and to allow for additional track underneath. To do this, new supports need to be placed in different locations, which means the old bridge cannot stay in place during construction.
To complete the work as quickly as possible, a full demolition of the bridge and closure of Simcoe Street is required.
There has been public outcry over the long closure.
Metrolinx said work will be carried out in stages, including:
- Utility protection and relocation of existing utilities.
- Demolition and removal of the existing bridge structure in a controlled sequence.
- Foundation work to support the new bridge.
- Construction of new bridge sub-structures and elements.
- Finishing works including paving, line painting, and final landscaping.
During the closure traffic will be detoured via Stevenson Road. Signal adjustments, advance turn signals, and dedicated turn lanes will be introduced at key locations to support traffic flow.
Pedestrian access will be maintained through a designated detour via the Michael Starr Trail, and local access will remain available. Wayfinding and detour signage will be in place to guide pedestrians and motorists.
A traffic management plan will be in place to ensure traffic flows safely around the road closure, and to maintain local access for residents and businesses in the area.
Throughout the closure, Metrolinx, together in a joint committee with the Regional Municipality of Durham and the contractor, will oversee traffic conditions and adjust traffic measures as required.
Project Overview
The Bowmanville Extension will extend Lakeshore East GO rail service nearly 20-kilometres east of the
Durham College Oshawa GO Station to Bowmanville, serving the Region of Durham. Expanded rail service
will provide Durham Region with direct connections to the larger GO Transit network, helping to reduce
congestion in the region while better connecting customers to education, family, entertainment, and jobs.
Metrolinx has begun early works construction for the Bowmanville Extension. As part of this project,
Metrolinx will be replacing the Simcoe Street Bridge located over the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)
track.
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