Drivers across the region should prepare for ongoing travel disruptions as the County of Essex carries out its extensive 2026 road construction program. With a total investment of over $112.9 million into infrastructure this year, several key routes in Amherstburg, Essex, Tecumseh, and Lakeshore are currently under construction or restricted.
In the Town of Essex, a new closure is beginning on County Road 12 at the intersection of Batten Sideroad, just south of Highway 3. Starting April 13, 2026, this section is closed for approximately six weeks to allow for culvert replacement. Additionally, County Road 50 remains closed between County Road 23 and County Road 13 for similar drainage work, a project that began on March 2 and is expected to continue for about 12 weeks.
Residents in other parts of the county will also encounter significant traffic changes. In Tecumseh, County Road 42 is reduced to one lane between Lesperance Road and County Road 43 (Banwell Road) since March 16, with work expected to last until late September 2026.
The Town of Amherstburg also has several upcoming infrastructure projects as part of the county’s wider rehabilitation and replacement efforts. These include rehabilitation work on County Road 11 (Walker Road) from Texas Road to County Road 12, as well as improvements to County Road 20 from Municipal Number 1484 to County Road 10. Crews are also working on the Sancrainte Drain Culvert on County Road 20 at the River Canard.
These projects are part of the broader effort by the County of Essex Infrastructure Services Department, which manages a network of 1,503 lane kilometres across seven municipalities, including 84 bridges and 127 large capacity drainage structures. The total 2026 construction program is funded through the approved county budget, which prioritizes roadway expansion, road repairs, and the County Wide Active Transportation System.
