Another avenue to connect drivers to the south end of Chatham will soon be open.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent told CK News Today the contractor is still on track to finish the upgrades to Keil Drive South and open the road to traffic by the original deadline of September 30, 2023.
All of the work is taking place between Indian Creek Road West and the current dead end of Keil Drive South just south of Bordeaux Place.
Once the extension is complete, Keil Drive South will connect to the west end of Tuscany Trail where there will be a new road constructed in the future leading to the west of the intersection, named Brookston Lane.
Chatham-Kent's Manager of Engineering, Infrastructure and Engineering Services Mark McFadden said all underground work for the north section has been installed, the roadway has been cut, and the granular road base has been put down.
The contractor has also begun installation of the storm sewers and catch basins on the south section and the sewer tie-ins and extensions within the intersection of Indian Creek Road West and Keil Drive, according to McFadden.
He said once the storm sewer work is completed, installation of the water main for the south section will start and curbs and base asphalt will be installed upon completion of all underground infrastructure.
"Although there were a number of weather delays through July, our contractor is continuing to work hard to meet the original completion date of September 30, 2023. At the moment, they are still on track to achieve this goal," said McFadden.
July was a very wet month with above-average rainfall.
McFadden warns though that utility work will still need to be completed after all of the other work is finished and the road is opened.
Surface asphalt, sidewalks, and boulevard restoration will take place in the Spring of 2024 after all utility work has been completed and some of that work will require temporary road closures.
There will also be two additional intersections for future development along Keil Drive South named Rhone Crescent and Cremont Place, according to the municipality.
The municipality said this work was identified as a high priority in the Transportation Master Plan.