Lesperance Road VIA Rail Crossing Improvement Project

Construction Update as of June 29, 2023: 

The Lesperance closure remains in effect and is expected to be in place for a couple of weeks as recent rain has affected construction work and projected rain for next week has the potential to delay the opening past next week. The project still however remains on schedule to be substantially completed in July of this year. 

Work completed since the last update includes:

• Installation of curbing
• Placement of Base Asphalt
• Storm manhole repair
• Installation of decorative retaining wall

Construction Update as of May 30:

Construction continues at a steady pace with work completed to date including; the installation of the 1200mm storm sewer; the installation of a new joint-use trench and additional underground utility services; the installation of new services to properties in the project area; and the installation of the silva cell (tree root cells) under the streetscaping boulevard. 

The Lesperance closure remains in effect and is expected to be in place until the end of June due to; weather delays which resulted in the postponement of directional drilling identified as weekend work only and the addition of water, storm, and sanitary services added to the project's scope to reduce future disruption to residents and costs to the Town. In the coming weeks, restoration will commence with items such as curb installation, final road grading, and paving taking place duing this time. Although the closure has been extended, the project remains on schedule to be substantially completed in July of this year.

Construction for the Lesperance Road and VIA Rail Crossing Improvements in the Town of Tecumseh is set to begin April 3rd and extend into the end of May, weather permitting and is expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2023. Lesperance Road will be closed to traffic from Tecumseh Rd to First Street, see the map below for detour routes. 

The Town of Tecumseh has retained Dillon Consulting Limited (Dillon) to serve as their representatives during the construction of this project. Rudak Excavating Inc. will be the general contractor for the construction works.

The following list summarizes the proposed works that will be undertaken as part of the Lesperance Road and VIA Grade Crossing Improvements project within the VIA Rail right-of-way Limits: 

• Full depth road reconstruction of the rail approach including revisiting the existing road grades to meet the required maximum approach gradient outlined within the Transport Canada (TC) Grade Crossing Standards;
• Jack and bore of two steel casing across the VIA Rail Tracks to accommodate joint utility crossings;
• Relocation of the existing rail signal north of the rail, west of Lesperance Road, to meet minimum design requirements of the Transport Canada Grade Crossing Standards;
• Installation of 2.0m wide asphalt sidewalks on both sides of the rail crossing;
• Replacement of a 1200mm dia. storm sewer North of the rail right-of-way, on the west side of Lesperance Road;
• Repainting of all pavement markings and placement of regulatory signs to meet TC standards; and 
• Reconstruction of boulevard areas, including full streetscape and landscaping in the boulevard area north of the right-of-way, west of Lesperance Road. Streetscape works include implementation of tree plantings, decorative street lighting, retaining wall/planter and improved pavement surface.