Weekly traffic report: Nov. 22 - 28

Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians: review the listing of streets and related messages below for travel information of interest to you.  

Nighttime Santa Claus Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony 

The following road closures will be taking place Nov. 23 for the annual Nighttime Santa Claus Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony: 

• Market Street – Ontario to King – closed from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• King Street – Brock to Clarence – closed from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Princess Street – Sir John A. MacDonald to Ontario – closed from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Road Closures   

• Abbey Dawn Road – Hwy 2 to Middle – closed to complete enhanced flood protection of Abbey Dawn Road, Highway 2, and St. Lawrence Avenue. For project details please visit Get Involved Kingston.
• Albert Street – Princess to 486 Albert – closed until Dec. 31 to accommodate construction activity and staging at 484 Albert St.
• Collins Bay Road – CN Rail Crossing to Bath – closed Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 8 and 9 from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day for the installation of a gas main.
• Collingwood Street – Earl to Union - closed for sewer separation and road rehabilitation work. For project details please visit Get Involved Kingston.
• Couper Street – Albert to Collingwood – closed for sewer separation and road rehabilitation work. For project details please visit Get Involved Kingston.
• Hillcrest Ave – Kingscourt to Seventh – closed for buried infrastructure replacement. Road will be open to local traffic.
• Kingscourt Avenue – Hillcrest to Kirkpatrick – closed to accommodate a watermain replacement.
• Union Street – Willingdon to Albert – closed for sewer separation and road rehabilitation work. For project details please visit Get Involved Kingston.
• University Avenue – Union to Earl – closed for construction related activity at the Queen’s John Deutsch University Centre project. 

Parking Disruption  

The Hanson Memorial Parking Structure Restoration project is now underway. The work will take place throughout all levels of the building, and will include efforts such as routine structural maintenance, repainting, replacement of waterproofing materials, and upgrades to the building mechanical/electrical systems. The work is planned to begin the first week of February 2024 and conclude in July 2025.    

The work will be completed in phases to allow the building to remain open to public parking for the duration of the project. Between October 20th and up to November 30th, 47 parking spaces will be available on the ground level parking only. Beyond that it is anticipated that no more than 50% of the 271 available parking spaces will be closed at any time. There is also parking availability at the Chown Memorial and Robert Bruce Memorial parking garages in the two adjacent blocks to the west.   

Gorsline Parking Lot 

The Gorsline Lot repaving project will commence on Monday October 21st and be concluded by November 30th.  The project will be split up in two phases whereby half the lot will remain open for parkers during each phase. It’s anticipated that the first phase will be completed by November 11th. The second phase which is the southeastern section of the lot is anticipated to commence on November 12th and be completed by the end of November. Permit holders displaced by the work can park in non-designated areas during the construction.  

Other Delays  

• Aberdeen Street – Johnson to Earl – expect delays and closures along Aberdeen Street for a contractor to complete road and sewer reconstruction. For project details please visit Get Involved Kingston.
• Collins Bay Road – Prince Charles/Edwin to Princess – expect delays while a contractor completes Phase 2 of the Princess & Colins Bay Active Transportation Improvements. For project details please visit Get Involved Kingston.
• Gardiners Road – at Centennial/Creekford – expect delays while a contractor completes intersection widening, traffic signal upgrades and cycling and pedestrian improvements. For project details please visit Get Involved Kingston. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes.
• Highway 2 – Abbey Dawn to St. Lawrence – expect delays to complete enhanced flood protection of Abbey Dawn Road, Highway 2, and St. Lawrence Avenue. For project details please visit Get Involved Kingston.
• Sir John A MacDonald Boulevard – at Elmwood – expect delays while a contractor upgrades the intersection at Sir John A. Macdonald Blvd. and Elmwood St. including replacement of street lighting, new traffic lights, replacement of asphalt on roadways and a new multi-use pathway south of the intersection towards Bath Rd.