Four months of construction is expected to begin this week along Wayne Gretzky Parkway and Lynden Park Mall.
“As a result of the Phase 1 expansion of Lynden Park Mall, beginning this week, motorists on Wayne Gretzky Parkway will experience traffic disruptions (including intermittent lane closures during the scope of the project) from the Highway 403 interchange to the intersection of Edmondson Street and Wayne Gretzky Parkway, which is the main entrance to the Lynden Park Mall,” said a public notice issued by the City of Brantford. “This work is expected to be completed by the end of October.”
The city issued a $33.5-million building permit to Costco at the end of March. The permit is for a new Costco warehouse at the mall site at 84 Lynden Rd.
Despite this, the popular big box store, long awaited in the city, won’t officially confirm it’s coming to Brantford. In March, Costco spokesperson Martin Groleau said “we are not ready to announce anything yet,” adding future store openings are posted on the company website “when we are ready to make the official announcement.”
Future openings of stores are confirmed to September on the website but the listing doesn’t include any Canadian locations.
When asked if the construction along Wayne Gretzky Parkway and the mall is related to the Costco store, Maria Visocchi, director of communications for the city, said “the applicant has asked that we refer to this work as the expansion of the Lynden Park Mall. ”
The public notice said the length of the construction project is “due to the complexities of working along a major arterial road that carries high volumes of traffic, as well as the amount of necessary infrastructure required to be installed.”
“Motorists are strongly encouraged to reduce peak hour travel through the area when possible or seek alternate travel routes to minimize delays. Pedestrian access at the Edmondson intersection will be maintained throughout the duration of the construction project, as will access for emergency services.”
The majority of the work will happen in the area of the Edmonston Street and Wayne Gretzky Parkway intersection and include reconstruction of the traffic signals, extension of turn lanes, installation of median islands, relocation of street lighting, as well as sewer and road work.
There also will be a new right access to the mall installed from Wayne Gretzky Parkway about 150 meters south of the Edmondson Street intersection.
The notice said all impacted businesses in the area are expected to remain open during the construction period.