FAQs
- Tecumseh Street is open for local traffic only. This means people who live, work, or are visiting in the immediate vicinity of Tecumseh Street.
- All traffic coming from the north into Woodstock and trips beyond this area should use one of the two detour routes set up during construction (Oxford Road 17 west to Oxford Road 30, or Oxford Road 17 east to Oxford Road 4).
- Oxford County will monitor traffic volume along Tecumseh Street during construction, If congestion or safety issues arise, we may need to consider other traffic control measures.
- Tecumseh Street is not a primary detour route for southbound traffic because it does not have the capacity to withstand all vehicle types (like trucks) or a high level of traffic volume. It would also mean diverting traffic to several residential streets and impacting traffic along Ingersoll Avenue and Brant Street.
- Traffic signals at the intersection of Vansittart Ave and Devonshire Ave will continue to operate as they currently do. Even without southbound traffic, signals are needed for northbound traffic to allow left and right turns from Devonshire Avenue.
- The County will continue to monitor traffic flow and movement throughout the construction period.
- School bus lines are informed of detour routes and pending construction. School bus operators set their own routes and schedules that consider traffic changes.
- During the construction period, the only roadway where buses will not be permitted is southbound over the Oxford Road 59 bridge between Tecumseh and Devonshire. If your child's school bus currently travels this section of roadway, please consult your school bus operator for information on how the bus will now travel through the duration of the construction, or for any changes to routes.
- We expect traffic delays and some challenges during the first few weeks of the Oxford Road 59 southbound lane closure when people are first becoming aware of the detour, adjusting to their new preferred travel routes for daily commutes, and a more typical traffic pattern emerges. The County is undertaking extensive communication to make as many people as possible aware of this construction.
- At this time, Oxford County is not proposing any additional temporary traffic control measures along the designated detour routes (e.g., at OR 2 and OR 30/11th Line, or OR 4 and OR 17), as this was not found to be a necessary step based on the County’s traffic impact study analysis.
- However, traffic flow and movement will continue to be monitored . No changes will made in the first few weeks until we have had a chance to understand traffic patterns with the southbound road closure and the detours in place.
- In the event that additional temporary traffic control measures are required, the County may consider installing all-ways stops (not temporary traffic signals) at the three-leg intersections at OR 2 and OR 30/11th Line, and OR 4 and OR 17. This is affected by a number of factors, including the proximity of OR4/OR17 to the rail line to the south, the lack of access to an electrical service, and the speed at which all way stops can be implemented.
- Sidewalk access on one side over the bridge will be maintained throughout construction. The side of the bridge with sidewalk access may change at different points depending on construction needs.
- Pittock South Shore Trail access via Tecumseh Street will remain open during construction. However, the parking lot off Tecumseh Street under the OR59 bridge will not be open to public use.
- This is one of the County’s largest bridges and the work includes major rehabilitation and the complete removal and replacement of the bridge deck, among other works. When completed, this project will extend the service life of the bridge by 75 years.
- To avoid a full road/bridge closure and maintain one lane of traffic during construction, the work must be completed in two stages instead of one. This means many aspects of the project need to be completed twice, adding significant time and complexity to the construction. You can find more information about the construction staging analysis in the September 2023 County Council report.
- Motorists should proceed slowly and cautiously through the work zone. As the safety of workers and all road users is our top priority, the posted speed will be reduced to 40 km/hr through the work zone, with speeding fines doubled when workers are present.
Is Tecumseh Street open during construction?
Will the traffic signals at Vansittart Ave and Devonshire Ave change?
How will school bus routes be affected?
Will there be additional traffic control measures along the detour routes (all-way stops, temporary traffic lights, etc.)?
Will there be pedestrian access (sidewalks) over the bridge during construction?
Can I still access the trail from Tecumseh Street?
Why will it take from February to December to finish construction?