The Region of Durham closed a multi-use trail near Southwood Park in Ajax the week of June 22 so crews can replace an aging sewer line next to Southwood Park Public School. The work will take about six months, with the trail expected to reopen by December 31, 2026. Pedestrians and cyclists will be sent along Clements Road for the duration.
According to the Regional Municipality of Durham, the closure affects the trail within the Southwood Drive Sanitary Sewage Pumping Station easement. The Region said the detour via Clements Road will keep people moving while workers remove and replace the sewer.
The Southwood Trunk Sanitary Sewer Replacement project will see an old 450-millimetre asbestos cement pipe swapped for a new 600-millimetre concrete sewer. Summit Concrete & Drain is the contractor, and work begins the week of June 22. The Region expects the job to wrap up by the end of December, depending on weather.
Car and truck traffic on nearby streets is not expected to be affected, and the on-site daycare at Southwood Park Public School will stay open while construction is underway. The school on Lambard Crescent serves about 710 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8.
Regular trail users are encouraged to plan alternate routes now. Anyone with questions about the project can reach Project Supervisor Andy Sutch at 289-404-7805 or [email protected].