16th Street E Pedestrian Tunnel Rehabilitation and Sidewalk Extension

The City of Owen Sound has retained the services of Pearson Engineering Ltd. to assist in the detailed design of the 16th Street East Pedestrian Tunnel Rehabilitation located over the Grey County CPR Trail, as well as the new sidewalk expansion along the south side of the roadway. This work is part of the City’s commitment to maintaining safe and reliable roadways and infrastructure, while improving the trail systems that are available for public use.

The work on the structure has been recommended due to evidence of water infiltration within the joints of the tunnel, which pose a risk during the wintertime due to ice build-up, and cause an increased rate of deterioration to the concrete structure. In addition, roadway widening and sidewalk installation has been recommended due to future development of the area.

Improvements:

• Install waterproofing and concrete distribution slab on top of the tunnel.

• Repair all areas of deteriorated concrete on tunnel.

• Add new retaining walls to south end of tunnel to permit roadway widening.

• Widen south roadway embankment to construct new 1500mm wide sidewalk.

• Add new curb, grass boulevard and steel beam guiderail beside new sidewalk.

• Stabilize embankments with rock protection to prevent erosion.

• Replace 400m of asphalt roadway on south side of road.

Timeline:

Construction is anticipated to commence in Summer 2026 and be completed in Fall 2026. The project will be completed under staged construction. A single lane of traffic will be maintained throughout construction, with traffic flow being managed with the use of temporary traffic signals. Delays in this area are to be expected during construction.