A busy Tecumseh intersection reopened to traffic on Thursday, May 28, 2026, after a fast-tracked reconstruction that finished weeks ahead of schedule. The County of Essex announced that County Road 42 and Lesperance Road are now open in all directions, restoring a key route for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The project took just five weeks to complete, beating both the typical eight-to-10-week timeline for this kind of work and the county’s own ambitious six-week goal. According to the County of Essex, crews worked Saturdays and pushed through rainy weather to get the job done early. Warden Hilda MacDonald said the quick turnaround cuts down on headaches for local residents and businesses while supporting economic growth in the area.
The $23-million overhaul brought new traffic signals, sidewalks, bike paths, and pedestrian crossings to the intersection. These upgrades are meant to make the crossing safer and more accessible for everyone, whether they are in a car, on a bike, or on foot.
The work is part of a much bigger plan to widen County Road 42 from Windsor through Tecumseh to just past the Manning Road roundabout. The whole corridor project is expected to take five to seven years and is being done in phases to boost capacity and connect neighbourhoods in this fast-growing part of Essex County.
Drivers should be aware that construction is not over yet. Just west of Lesperance Road, crews are widening County Road 42 from two lanes to four, stretching toward Banwell Road. That phase started on March 16, 2026, and is targeted for completion by late September 2026. Until then, traffic in that stretch may be down to one lane during the day, with flaggers directing vehicles.
The contractor for the intersection work, GIP Paving Inc., worked closely with the county to speed things along. County officials say finishing this piece early keeps the overall road-widening project on track, with more phases still to come in the years ahead.
