The Municipality of Chatham-Kent in Chatham, Ontario, is planning Phase 2 of the King Street West reconstruction between Lacroix Street and Second Street. Phase 2 is tentatively scheduled to begin in June 2026 and be completed by November 2026, pending the results of Phase 1 restoration and winter weather conditions.
The work will restrict this section of King Street West to local traffic only while crews complete utility upgrades and road rebuilding, shifting local traffic patterns in the downtown core.
The project will replace combined storm and sanitary sewers and install a new watermain, as part of a wider initiative by Ontario municipalities to separate combined sewers and improve water distribution. Sidewalks and curbs will be rebuilt, new asphalt laid, and street lighting upgraded as part of the surface restoration. According to the King Street West reconstruction consultation, lane widths will be reduced from 4.0 metres to 3.3 metres as a traffic-calming measure (Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent project materials).
Parking, transit routes and through-traffic will be affected during the 2026 work, and the project will introduce permanent changes including a new all-way stop at the King Street West and Second Street intersection. Chatham-Kent Transit’s Route 4 will be detoured during construction; the municipality’s news release describing the intersection closure gives an example detour (Harvey Street and Inshes Avenue). Posted signage will direct through traffic to alternate routes. The municipality says access to properties will be maintained, though ‘local traffic only’ restrictions will apply throughout construction.
Businesses and residents can find detailed timing, detour maps and frequently asked questions on the municipality’s project page and the Let’s Talk consultation portal. The municipality says contractors will take every precaution to minimize disruptions and keep driveways accessible as heavy equipment moves in for the summer and fall rebuild.
