More upcoming closures as construction for ION LRT nears completion

As construction of Stage 1 forthe ION LRT inches closer to completion, drivers in Kitchener-Waterloo still have a few months-worth of possible road work to watch out for.

• Waterloo Region's LRT project issues not so bad: Pembina report
• LRT Cambridge proposed route announced
• Proposed LRT route in Cambridge a no-go for Preston residents

Final paving operations are getting underway for certain areas in Kitchener-Waterloo and work to install the Grand River Transit (GRT) bus shelters is still ongoing.

On Friday, Grandlinq released an ION construction update. Here are new construction highlights to know about:

North Waterloo

• All roads are open, however, there may be lane restriction to complete work on Northfield Drive and King Street North.
• Bearinger Road at the railway tracks will be closed on May 23 for four days for placement of final asphalt.
• The Laurel Trail is closed until May 25 along the west side of the Clay and Glass Gallery and along the Perimeter Institute.
• Work to install the GRT bus shelters on King Street from Conestogo Road to Northfield Drive and on Northfield Drive from King Street to the rail tracksisongoing until mid-June.
• University Avenue will be closed from May 24 to May 27 for crews to place the final layer of asphalt at the University Avenue light rail transit crossing.

Uptown Waterloo

• All roads are open. Short-term lane restriction may be required to complete work on Caroline Street as crews continue to work in the area.
• Access to the Waterloo North parking from Caroline Street will be closed on May 23 for two weeks to accommodate the ongoing reconfiguration of the parking lot. However, there will be access to the parking lot via the Erb Street entrance.
• Work to install the GRT bus shelters on Caroline Street, from Erb Street to Allen Street,and on King Street, from Erb Street to Union Street will continue until mid-June
• Crews will periodically work from 7:00 p.m to 7:00 a.m. along Waterloo Spur, from the Laurel Creek to Erb Street, at the Waterloo Town Square North parking lot and on King Street, from Erb Streetto Union Street.

Downtown Kitchener

• Short-term lane restrictions may be needed to complete work on King Street, Victoria Street, Francis Street and Charles Street.
• Crews work on installing the overhead catenary system that powers the train on Charles Streetfrom Victoria Street to Benton Street.
• King Street between Victoria Street and Francis Street, including the King Street and Francis Street intersection, will close on May 25 for three days.
• Duke Street from Victoria Street to Breithaupt Street will close on June 5 for two weeks.
• King Street from Moore Avenue to Victoria Street, including the Moore Avenue and King Street intersection, will re-open to vehicle traffic and pedestrians this summer.
• Work to install the GRT bus shelters on King Street, from Union Street to Victoria Street is ongoing until mid-June. Crews will also do work along King Street from Street to Victoria Street from 7:00 p.m to 7:00 a.m.
• Charles Street from Gaukel Street to Ontario Street will close on May 23 for five days. But the Charles Street and Gaukel Street intersection and Charles Street and Ontario Street intersections will remain open.
• Short-term lane restrictions may be required to complete work on Duke Street and Frederick Street as crews work on installing LRT track on Frederick Street, from Duke Street to King Street.
• Duke Street between Queen Street and the Duke Street parking garage is closed until June for Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro work. However, intersections of Duke Street and Ontario Street, and Queen Street and Ontario Street remain open.
• The Charles Street and Queen Street intersection is closed until May 26.

South Kitchener

• Lane restrictions may be needed to complete work on Charles Street, Borden Avenue, Ottawa Street and Courtland Avenue.
• The southbound lane on Charles Street, between Cedar Street and Cameron Street, will close on May 23 for the day.
• The southbound lane on Charles Street from Benton Street to Eby Street will close on May 29 for about three days.
• The Charles Street and Cedar Street intersection will close on May 26 for two days.
• Crews will work on installing the overhead catenary systemon Courtland Avenue from Siebert Avenue to Manitou Drive.
• Work to install the GRT bus shelters is ongoing until mid-June on Charles Street, Borden Avenue, Ottawa Street and Courtland Avenue.
• Crews are periodically working at night from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m on Charles Street from Benton Street to Ottawa Street, and on Ottawa Street, from Charles Street to Nyberg Street until mid-June.
• Ottawa Street construction will enter Stage 2 onMay 25. Homer Watson Boulevard and Alpine Road will both be closed on the south side of Ottawa Street for 14 weeks.

A temporary four-lane bypass road with a protected pedestrian route will open on the north side of Ottawa Street at the Alpine Road and Homer Watson Boulevard intersection.

A right turn off Ottawa Street southward onto Alpine Road will be open to access businesses on Alpine Road. Other locations south of Ottawa Street will be accessed by detour using Strasburg Road, Block Line Road and Courtland Avenue.