OR 59 (Vansittart Ave) bridge: Preparing for construction

January 11, 2024

In 2024, Oxford County Public Works will rehabilitate the Oxford Road 59 (OR 59) /Vansittart Avenue Bridge located just north of Devonshire Avenue in Woodstock, which crosses the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Thames River. The bridge, originally built in 1967, is due for major rehabilitation including the complete removal and replacement of the existing bridge deck, repairs to the structure, and a new wider deck to accommodate bike lanes and sidewalks.

As a major urban arterial roadway in Woodstock with an Annual Average Daily Traffic volume of 13,410 vehicles per day, construction staging and traffic control measures are key considerations for this project.

Preparing for construction

In September 2023, County Council approved a construction plan(External link) that will use a single lane for northbound traffic only between Devonshire Avenue and Tecumseh Street, while southbound traffic is re-routed to Oxford Road 17/Oxford Road 4 and Oxford Road 30 (11th Line). Although the Oxford Road 59 northbound traffic lane will remain open during construction, significant traffic delays in the area are expected during the construction period.

This was the preferred option by local emergency responders to ensure timely response to emergencies in the north end of Woodstock. While it requires a longer construction timeline than a full road closure, it will also keep some traffic, including public transportation, moving in the area.

Construction timelines are still being finalized but this work is expected to take place from February to December 2024.

During construction, Oxford County will share information about the project through this page, social media, the Oxford County website, advertising and local media. If you have questions, please reach out to one of the project contacts.

Please check this page again for updates.