Part of Bloor Street to close this summer

By Chris Jones/The Oshawa Express

Some Oshawa residents will have their commutes rerouted this summer as a portion of Bloor Street East is closing for construction.

Bloor Street will close to all but local traffic from Ritson Road South to Wilson Road South this summer for feedermain construction and the replacement of the local watermain and sanitary sewer systems.

According to John Presta, the region’s director of environmental services, there isn’t a precise start date for the project, but it will begin this summer.

He notes the three businesses affected by the project will close and have been made aware of the project.

Presta explains the project is taking place because the Oshawa and Whitby water supply systems, which are interconnected, will benefit from the new feedermain.

“This new large watermain along Bloor Street strengthens the water supply system for Whitby and Oshawa,” he explains. “The water system acts as one, so with all of the development that has happened, and existing development and proposed development, we need to strengthen the system.”

He adds the existing smaller, underground watermain and sanitary sewers are reaching the end of their life cycle, and will be replaced at the same time.

“To facilitate the construction of all the underground works along there in order to expedite the project schedule… the road needs to be closed,” he says.

For those who will see their commutes interrupted, Presta says there will be a detour route which will take traffic further north on Olive Avenue, or south on Wentworth Street.