Goderich downtown “Big Dig” to start May 12

A large portion of Goderich’s iconic Courthouse Square will be shutdown to traffic, all summer long – CTV London's Scott Miller explains why.

Goderich’s famed Courthouse Square, which is really an octagon, will look different this summer, as construction to replace more than 100-year old sewer and water pipes, begins May 12.

“We’re replacing all the infrastructure. New pavement, new sidewalks, adding a few more trees. So, you know, all that comes at a cost, obviously, but it needs to be done,” says Goderich Mayor Trevor Bazinet.

The $11-million project will last this summer and next in Goderich, largely shutting down vehicular traffic, and complicating pedestrian traffic around Courthouse Square, causing obvious headaches for downtown businesses.

“Absolutely. It’s going to be a disruption. It will last for two years. But, it has been very, very well thought out, and we are very excited that it’s going to be a quarter of the square at a time,” says Vicky Culbert, a member of the Goderich B.I.A.(Business Improvement Area).

Construction will begin next week, between South Street and East Street, and last until August, when work will switch from South Street to West Street, until November. Bazinet, says construction will end then, and restart to complete the other half of Courthouse Square, next summer.

“It’s a two-year project. Obviously we want to have this project done for our bicentennial, which is in 2027. So the last coat of pavement will go on in 2027. And, then we’ll be able to celebrate our bicentennial with a brand new refreshing downtown,” says Bazinet.

One of the big changes will be lane lines on Courthouse Square one way traffic, which has been ‘lane-less’ for decades, and that’s created some traffic issues over the years.

“Back in the day, I would consider it three lanes. I still drive it three lanes now, but it’s actually going down to two lanes, and there’s going to be a line that deciphers those two lanes. I think that’s going to create a safer downtown for us, for everyone to be safe and uses it, whether you’re on a bicycle or whether you’re just walking on the sidewalk during a Saturday farmer’s market, for example,” says Bazinet.

Summer markets will remain on the Square for the summer, says Culbert, who says downtown businesses will do their best to weather, the necessary construction project.

“Businesses will still be open, per usual, during this time. There will still be parking spaces available. There still will be access to our stores, and we invite everyone to come shop,” says Culbert.

“Making sure that we are open for business, and making sure that there is a viable route to get in, and to host the events that we are, which I think is really important,” says new Goderich B.I.A. Manager, Dan Gall.

“There’s going to be some pain here, but I want to stress to the people that live in our community and visiting tourists, our local businesses need us now more than they ever have before. They’re the ones that sponsor our sports teams. They’re the ones that donate to the silent auctions. It’s not Amazon. You don’t see Amazon on the back of a jersey, that’s our businesses,” says Bazinet.

You can learn more about Goderich’s “Big Dig” downtown reconstruction project by visiting https://www.goderich.ca/en/town-hall-and-services/downtown-rebuild.aspx#