Residents and business owners frustrated by ongoing Tecumseh Road East construction
People who live and work along Tecumseh Road East say they are frustrated by months-long construction that has blocked portions of the sidewalk and kept customers away from businesses.
According to the City of Windsor website, watermain and road rehabilitation work on Tecumseh Road East between Central Avenue and Pillette Road has been underway since July 10.
Area resident Ronald Belcourt said it’s a difficult time to be a pedestrian in the area.
“It’s scary when you have to go close to the road because of all the pylons, cars, trucks, buses and everything,” said Belcourt.
Belcourt added his main issue with the construction is that it wasn’t done in phases. Instead, lane closures cover the entire one kilometre stretch between Central and Pillette.
Several left turns are prohibited, and bus stops along the route have been closed.
Tecumseh Road East construction in Windsor, Ont. on Sept. 18, 2024. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)
A City of Windsor spokesperson was unavailable for an interview, when asked why the work couldn’t be done in phases, unlike other projects on similar arterial roads.
“Even the businesses will have a hard time getting people because some of the gate fencing they got is almost right at the door,” Belcourt added.
That’s the reality for Tony Blak’s Union Bakery on Tecumseh Road East.
“We have a challenge of trying to get our suppliers into us because they come in with tractor trailers to deliver our flour and sugar and other things,” said Blak.
“Also, our customers are having a hard time getting here.”
According to Blak, his business has taken a 20 per cent hit since construction ramped up earlier this month.
Residents CTV News spoke with, who didn’t want to go on camera, said they’re also concerned about emergency vehicles accessing business lots amid the construction.
However, in an email obtained by CTV News, the city said a plan is in place to allow first responders to effectively navigate the construction zone.
The city added that anyone facing undue financial hardship due to the construction can file an online damage claim with Enwin, which is spearheading the watermain repair work.
When asked why the Tecumseh Road East construction couldn’t have been done in less intrusive increments, a city spokesperson said: “Your suggestion to implement a phased approach is valuable, and we will take it into consideration for future projects to reduce stress and frustration for drivers.”
The construction is scheduled for completion on Nov. 29, according to the city’s website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING PM Justin Trudeau to adjust cabinet roles today, as Pablo Rodriguez quits
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be making adjustments to his cabinet today, CTV News has confirmed. The small shuffle is the result of longtime cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez quitting.
DEVELOPING Hezbollah leader says pager attack crossed a 'red line' and vows to retaliate against Israel
Israel and Hezbollah exchanged strikes along the Israel-Lebanon border on Thursday as Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed retaliation for attacks earlier this week on his group’s communication devices.
Quebec woman charged with first-degree murder in death of five-year-old boy
A 29-year-old Quebec woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of a five-year-old boy southwest of Montreal.
CTV News in Italy Stolen Winston Churchill 'Roaring Lion' portrait returned after ceremony in Italy
A special ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome marked the successful recovery of an iconic portrait of Winston Churchill after a two-year search by Ottawa police.
Robbers crash through ceiling in brazen US$150K cash heist
Two suspects broke into a cheque-cashing business in Atlanta through the ceiling and forced an employee to open the safe, where they stole US$150K.
'Put them on the exhaust pipes': Alberta mayor appears to advocate for the killing of feral cats
The mayor of an Alberta city appeared to suggest that residents should use inhumane tactics to deal with feral cats.
Huge python grabs Thai woman in her kitchen, squeezes her two hours before she can be freed
A 64-year-old woman was preparing to do her evening dishes at her home outside Bangkok when she felt a sharp pain in her thigh and looked down to see a huge python taking hold of her.
Ontario police arrest 2 suspects, search for 3 others in door-to-door-sales fraud
Two people have been arrested, and three others are still at large in connection with a door-to-door sales fraud that police said victimized more than 200 people across Ontario.
NASA scientists recreate Mars 'spiders' on Earth for first time
NASA scientists have successfully replicated spider-like shapes found on the surface of Mars in a laboratory setting for the first time.