'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
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.