'A weight has been lifted off our shoulders': Grand Bend business owners relieved construction phase is over
It’s the first long weekend in weeks without construction and traffic delays along the main strip in Grand Bend.
With Canada Day upon us, hundreds have flocked to the beach to soak up some sun and celebrate.
Business owners along the main strip are also breathing a sigh of relief to see little traffic congestion and an increase in visitors.
Construction along Ontario Street and Main Street was designed to improve traffic flow in the future.
Construction will halt in July and August before picking up again in September. Then come next year, there are expected to be four lanes of traffic and a turn lane on Highway 21.
“It’s always very busy in Grand Bend anyways and the construction was adding to more traffic and tourists,” said Yvette Market, who owns a store along Main St.
“Even locals were getting frustrated and deterring them from coming downtown so this is great,”
In May and June construction led to major delays, street closures and headaches for visitors.
“I think people feel like almost a weight is lifted off. A lot of people are having more fun, feeling less stressed,” she said.
According to the local Chamber of Commerce, Grand Bend typically sees up to 40,000 visitors each summer.
Now locals are expecting this to be one of the busiest summers they’ve experienced over the last few years.
“Last year we didn’t get as many people because of COVID but we’re hoping it will be extremely busy, especially Friday and Saturday night,” said Jillian Regier, who works at Willie’s Beach Bar.
The manager at the Grand Bend & Area Chamber of Commerce, Sydney MacDonald told CTV News that there will be a free concert and fireworks show on Thursday night on the beach.
“We’re excited in welcoming everyone to come back and looking forward to a great summer,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING 14 suspects arrested in grandparent scam targeting seniors across Canada: Ontario police
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Queen's Park fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.