Local residents in Oshawa are facing a two-year closure of a major north-south corridor as construction crews work on expanding GO Transit Lakeshore East train service to Bowmanville. Simcoe Street South, a vital connection between Lake Ontario and Port Perry, has been shut down causing concerns among residents.
The closure of Simcoe Street South has forced drivers to find alternative routes, with Ritson Road South being the nearest major north-south corridor. However, residents are being advised to use Stevenson Road South as an alternate route to access Highway 401 and other areas in southern Oshawa.
Metrolinx has issued a public notice detailing the construction plans, which include demolishing the existing bridge, relocating utilities, building a new bridge foundation, and adding new structures and landscaping. The expansion project aims to extend the Lakeshore East train service by 20 kilometers along the CKPC rail corridor, with new stations planned at various locations including Thorton’s Corners East, Ritson Road, Courtice, and Bowmanville.
Local business owners near the closure site, such as Al Bursey and Mike Kantaros, have expressed concerns over the impact on their businesses due to the lack of clear detour signs and insufficient notification. Despite the challenges, they remain hopeful that customers will find ways to reach them during the construction period.
Metrolinx has stated that extensive consultation and planning were conducted before the closure, involving various authorities and stakeholders. While acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the closure, Metrolinx reassured that measures are in place to minimize traffic impacts and ensure timely completion of the project.