Downtown Omemee Reconstruction

King Street between James Street North and the Pigeon River Bridge:

• King Street will be open all week to normal traffic flow from James Street to the Pigeon River Bridge.

• Ongoing electrical work, driveway asphalt replacement, concrete sidewalk placement and brick paving stone installation to take place throughout the week.

• In general, all work will take place outside of the traveled portion of the roadway. Subcontractors will temporarily occupy on street parking spaces to access work zones.

King Street, Omemee (excluding the downtown portion)

• Brennan Paving will be on site working on King Street outside of the downtown area this week for shave and pave work.

• Their schedule is as follows:

  • Monday July 24 and Tuesday July 25: Grinding

  • Wednesday July 26 to Friday July 28: Paving

• King Street will be open all week to normal traffic flow.

• Ongoing electrical work, concrete sidewalk placement and brick paving stone installation to take place throughout the week.

• In general, all work will take place outside of the traveled portion of the roadway. Subcontractors will temporarily occupy on street parking spaces to access work zones.

• West and East bound traffic on King Street will be directed through a single lane in the middle of the construction by temporary traffic lights.
• Additionally, there are three detours set up to detour traffic around the construction zone. Two detours are set up on Peace Road (one in each direction) and there is also a detour on Mary Street (eastbound only).
• Ongoing electrical work as well as concrete sidewalk pouring to take place all week.
• King Street will be open to normal traffic flow by end of day Friday June 30. Sturgeon Road North and SOuth will also be opened by the same deadline.

Week of June 19, 2023

• West and East bound traffic on King Street will be directed through a single lane in the middle of the construction by temporary traffic lights.
• Additionally, there are three detours set up to detour traffic around the construction zone. Two detours are set up on Peace Road (one in each direction) and there is also a detour on Mary Street (eastbound only).
• Ongoing electrical work, grading for sidewalk, placement of concrete sidewalk and boulevard work will take place all week.

Week of June 12, 2023

• West and East bound traffic on King Street will be directed through a single lane in the middle of the construction by temporary traffic lights.
• Additionally, there are three detours set up to detour traffic around the construction zone. Two detours are set up on Peace Road (one in each direction) and there is also a detour on Mary Street (eastbound only).
• Ongoing electrical work as well as grading for sidewalk and boulevard work will take place all week.

Week of May 29, 2023

• West and East bound traffic on King Street will be directed through a single lane in the middle of the construction by temporary traffic lights.
• Additionally, there are three detours set up to detour traffic around the construction zone. Two detours are set up on Peace Road (one in each direction) and there is also a detour on Mary Street (eastbound only).
• Grading and paving of the north lane (westbound) will take place early in the week. Following this the traffic will be switched to this newly paved lane and crews will work to repair the south lane (eastbound).

Week of May 22, 2023

• West and East bound traffic on King Street will be directed through a single lane in the middle of the construction by temporary traffic lights.
• Additionally, there are three detours set up to detour traffic around the construction zone. Two detours are set up on Peace Road (one in each direction) and there is also a detour on Mary Street (eastbound only).
• The road excavation on the North Side of King Street between Sturgeon Road North, along with installation of road granulars to take place during the week.
• Concrete curb installation planned on the north side of King Street will occur later in the week.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible for the week.

Week of May 8, 2023

• West and East bound traffic on King Street will be directed through a single lane in the middle of the construction by temporary traffic lights.
• Additionally, there are three detours set up to detour traffic around the construction zone. Load restrictions on the detours have now been lifted. The detours are set up on Peace Road (one in each direction) and Mary Street (eastbound only).
• The plan for the week is to pave the south side of King Street between James Street and Sturgeon Road (including the intersection). Once this paving is complete the single lane traffic will be moved to the south lane.
• Concrete and asphalt removals will take place following the traffic adjustment and then the crews will begin excavation and storm sewer installation on the north side of King Street as well as Sturgeon Road North.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible for the week.

Week of May 1, 2023

• West and East bound traffic on King Street will be directed through a single lane in the middle of the construction by temporary traffic lights.
• Additionally, there are three detours for light traffic only until the road restrictions are lifted by the City. Reminder that load restrictions are in place on the detoured routes. The detours are set up on Peace Road (one in each direction) and Mary Street (eastbound only). Reminder that load restrictions are in place on the detoured routes.
• The plan for the week is to pour concrete curb on King Street from Sturgeon Road to James Street on Monday.
• The south lane of King Street from Sturgeon Road to James Street will be graded on Tuesday and paved on Wednesday.
• Once the above is complete we will run the single lane of traffic on the south paved lane and continue to work on the north side of King Street, west of Sturgeon Road.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible for the week.

Week of April 24, 2023

• West and East bound traffic on King St. will be directed through a single lane in the middle of the construction by temporary traffic lights.
• Additionally, there are three detours for light traffic only until the road restrictions are lifted by the City. The detours are set up on Peace Road (one in each direction) and Mary Street (eastbound only).
• The crews are continuing to work on sidewalk preparations and concrete pouring on both the north side and south side of King Street.
• Storm sewer installations west of Sturgeon Road will continue this week.
• All residents are asked to have patience during the construction as there will be a lot of traffic to deal with in a very narrow, tight work area.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible for the week.

Week of April 17, 2023

• West and East bound traffic on King St. will be directed through a single lane in the middle of the construction by temporary traffic lights.
• Additionally, there are three detours for light traffic only until the road restrictions are lifted by the City. The detours are set up on Peace Road (one in each direction) and Mary Street (eastbound only).
• The crews are working on the temporary traffic lights as well as temporary sidewalk removal in preparation of permanent sidewalk installation. Underground storm sewer installation will begin very soon.
• All residents are asked to have patience during the construction as there will be a lot of traffic to deal with in a very narrow, tight work area.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible for the week.

Week of April 10, 2023

• The contractor began to mobilize equipment and signage this week in anticipation of road construction starting on Monday April 17, 2023.
• Road closures and detours will be in place the week of April 17.

Week of November 28, 2022

• It is GIP’s intention to open the road to two-way traffic on or just before this week. The detours (D1, D2 and D3) will be removed shortly there after.
• Some or most of the parking stalls will still be unavailable to the public as the crews need to access the sidewalk areas to place temporary asphalt in lieu of concrete for the winter months.
• As for the remaining of the 2022 season GIP will clean up the site and remove all unnecessary traffic control and construction signage.
• We hope to be demobilized from the site for the winter within the next couple weeks.

• West bound traffic will remain in a single paved lane travelling through King St. for the week.
• The second lift of base asphalt is planned for mid-week as well as the temporary line painting for winter.
• Sidewalk preparation which may include paving sidewalks or permanent concrete pouring will take place all week.
• Eastbound traffic will remain detoured at Peace Rd (Detour 3), Sturgeon Rd. N. (Detour 2) and Sturgeon Rd. S. (Detour 1) all week.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible for the week.

• West bound traffic will remain in a single paved lane travelling through King St. for the week.
• More base asphalt east of Sturgeon Road North to be placed early in the week.
• The crew will be preparing granular base for more curb and gutter and also sidewalk to be poured later in the week and into the following week.
• Some underground electrical work will be on going as well
• Eastbound traffic will remain detoured at Peace Rd (Detour 3), Sturgeon Rd. N. (Detour 2) and Sturgeon Rd. S. (Detour 1) all week.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible for the week.

• West bound traffic will remain in a single paved lane travelling through King St. for the week.
• Underground work will take place on the South side of King St. from Sturgeon Rd. S. heading west towards George St.
• East bound traffic will remain detoured at Peace Rd (Detour 3), Sturgeon Rd. N. (Detour 2), and Sturgeon Rd. S. (Detour 1) all week.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible for the week.

• West bound traffic will remain in a single paved lane travelling through King St. for the week.
• Underground work will take place on the South side of King St. from Sturgeon Rd. S. heading west towards George St.
• East bound traffic will remain detoured at Peace Rd (Detour 3), Sturgeon Rd. N. (Detour 2), and Sturgeon Rd. S. (Detour 1) all week.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible for the week.

• West bound traffic will remain in a single paved lane travelling through King St. for the week.
• Paving operations planned to take place mid-week to shift Westbound traffic so that upcoming work can occur safely.
• Once the Westbound traffic is shifted the underground crew will begin removals and underground work on the South side of King St. once more closer to the lights at Sturgeon Rd.
• East bound traffic will remain detoured at Peace Rd (Detour 3), Sturgeon Rd. N. (Detour 2), and Sturgeon Rd. S. (Detour 1) all week.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible for the week.

• Removals and underground work to continue on the North side of King St.
• West bound traffic will remain in a single paved lane travelling through King St. for the week.
• East bound traffic will remain detoured at Peace Rd. (Detour 3), Sturgeon Rd. N. (Detour 2), and Sturgeon Rd. S. (Detour 3) all week.
• All business and residences will remain accessible to pedestrians for the week.

• The underground crew has shifted to the North side of King St. to continue with removals and storm sewer work, this work will continue all week.
• West bound traffic will remain in a single lane travelling through King St. for the week.
• East bound traffic will remain detoured at Peace Rd. (Detour 3), Sturgeon Rd. N. (Detour 2), and Sturgeon Rd. S. (Detour 3) all week.
• All business and residences will remain accessible to pedestrians for the week.

• The underground crew should finish installing the storm sewer on the south side of King St. Once complete, they will move the crew to the north side of King St. to begin concrete and asphalt removals for the remainder of the week.
• A single lane paving operation is scheduled to take place mid-week to allow West bound traffic to drive on a hard surface.
• West bound traffic will remain able to go straight through town in a single lane. East bound traffic will remain detoured at Peace Rd. (Detour 3), Sturgeon Rd. N (Detour 2) and Sturgeon Rd. S (Detour 1).
• All businesses and residences will remain accessible to pedestrians for the week.

• Car and light traffic will continue being detoured South at Sturgeon Rd. S via detour D1.
• Removals to continue all week.
• Underground crew to continue storm sewer installation at the East end of the project and process West all week.
• All businesses and residences will be accessible to pedestrians for the week.

• Work has begun.

• Signage is up.
• Traffic is reduced to one lane.
• Detour routes established.

• The contract with the contractor starts on September 6.
• The public may see signage start to go up and equipment start to deploy this week in downtown Omemee.
• No road closures are expected this week.
• Construction anticipated to start the week of September 12.

Communication is key for staying connected during construction.

• Subscribe at the bottom of this page to be kept up to date when page content changes. You'll receive a notification approximately once a week when construction updates are made on this page.

• Find up to date info at kawarthalakes.ca/diggindowntownomemee
• Stay informed and prepared, by visiting kawarthalakes.ca/ecdevnews for newsletters, resources, blogs and events. Business support resources are readily available and updated frequently.

• Visit kawarthalakes.ca/diggindowntownomemee for updates on the construction project and the marketing campaign
• Follow @EcDevKL and use #diggindowntownomemee on social media

• The Digital Main Street program provides expert support for businesses interested in technologies. Get access at digitalmainstreet.ca
• Kawartha Lakes has hired a Digital Service Squad to help businesses with free digital consulting, book your free session today.
• Sign up for shopHere at for your business online and to receive online training at no cost
• Need help to improve your online presence? The Digital Service Squad can help with that too.
  

Carlie Arbour, City of Kawartha Lakes

Economic Development Officer, Community + Downtowns

705-324-9411 extension 1396

carbour@kawarthalakes.ca

Help ensure that your customers have the opportunity to access parking.

• Inform your customers of the closest parking lots
• Inform vendors or delivery agencies of changes to road access
• Encourage staff to park in lots outside of the downtown core

Ensure you have multiple channels for your customers to find and know what you have available. Here are a few suggestions:

• Research Online, Purchase Offline: Customers are researching products online, then purchasing in store. Use your online space to show them your offering and what’s available.
• Buy Online, Pick-up In Store: Offering Pick-up In Store and Curbside allows you to make the sale and customers to feel safe while browsing online.
• Get creative and find alternate ways to bring your product to your customer. Options include home delivery, pick-up models, meetings or consultations.
• Get set-up with an online store for free with shopHERE.

Look at your overall marketing strategy - is it doing what you need? Maybe it’s time to update your approach.

• Visit digitalmainstreet.ca for free resources and training tutorials to help you build a digital plan
• Kawartha Lakes has hired a Digital Service Squad to help businesses with free digital consulting, book your free session today.

• Host promotions or events for your customers, try limited time items, new products or weekly specials and announcements.
• Be creative and don’t forget to share your promotions on social media, follow @EcDevKL and use #diggindowntownomemee

• Bring new colour to your window displays to draw attention and brighten the customer experience.
• Apply for funding for an upgrade at kawarthalakes.ca/makeover

• Look for ways to cross-promote events and sales with other businesses, even those outside the construction area.
• Consider collaborative discounts, coupons or complimentary events

Project details

The 2022 Capital Budget Program 9832203 Urban/Rural Reconstruction identified four sections to be reconstructed in 2022 and one section for land acquisition.

King Street in the Village of Omemee from Pigeon River Bridge to 50m East of James Street is one of the capital projects identified. The work under this project includes storm sewer replacement, full asphalt replacement, sidewalks, curb and gutter, streetlight upgrades, intersection improvements, and streetscape enhancements.

The design was completed by City staff in 2017 and in 2018 Council approved a budget for downtown improvements. Engineering staff retained Ainley Group to complete the preliminary and detailed design in 2019. During the design process the consultant and engineering staff conducted two public consultation meetings with local residents, businesses and the Ward Councillor.

The City received notice on April 20, 2022 that it has been selected for funding through the Ministry of Transportation’s 2022-23 Connecting Links Program, and was awarded $2,550,000.00 to complete the reconstruction of King Street in downtown Omemee.

Request for Quotation 2022-86-CQ was released with a unique contractor option to start construction on September 6, 2022 or to start in April 1, 2023. The lowest compliant bid identified September 6, 2022 as the start date.

Public meetings

The first Public Open House was held on September 23, 2020 at the Legion in Omemee.

Please see below for materials presented at the first Downtown Omemee Reconstruction Public Open House on September 23, 2020.

• Presentation 
• Display Board 1, Downtown Omemee Reconstruction

The second Public Open House was held online on January 27, 2022 using the City of Kawartha Lakes' YouTube channel. The information centre presented the proposed streetscape plans, building on previously completed planning and design studies and incorporated the feedback of Public Open House 1 and additional input from the Stakeholder Groups Working Meeting.

• Watch on YouTube
• Presentation
  

Please be advised that the presentation and display boards available for download are not in an accessible format. If you require assistance, please contact the City's Engineering and Corporate Assets department by calling 705-324-9411 extension 2117 or email lpeimann@kawarthalakes.ca.

How long is the reconstruction going to last?

What exactly is being replaced?

• Storm sewer replacement
• Full asphalt replacement
• Sidewalks, curbs and gutters
• Streetlight upgrades
• Intersection improvements
• Streetscape enhancements

Are businesses still open during the reconstruction?

Where do I park during the reconstruction?

All municipal parking lots will remain open during the reconstruction project, as well as parking along designated streets not affected by the road closures.

Please see the attached map outlining municipal property (blue boxes on the map) that could be used as public parking areas during construction. Please note that parking at the Fire Hall and Service Centre is very limited.

How do I find out when roads are closed?

To stay up to date on road closures and construction information, please subscribe to our "Construction Updates and Road Closures" category through our newsroom.

Kawartha Lakes uses Municipal511 to keep residents and visitors up-to-date on any road closures in the area.

Are you hosting any more public meetings?