Construction and Road Closures Update – May 8, 2026

Construction and road closure updates for the County of Essex, May 8, 2026:

First, if you have not yet heard, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has announced that next week (starting May 11), traffic on Highway 3 between the Town of Essex and Municipality of Leamington will shift onto the newly constructed lanes, located directly adjacent to, and south of, the existing highway.

One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained. This will enable necessary work through the spring and summer to rehabilitate and resurface the existing highway lanes. Motorists may experience short, temporary delays at signalized intersections while the transition is underway. Ontario Provincial Police officers and designated project traffic control personnel will be present to assist and direct traffic safely through the area. Motorists are asked to exercise caution, follow all posted signage, and adhere to directions provided on site.

Also regarding Highway 3:

(1)  Expect intermittent flagging along Highway 3 from 0.5 km east of County Road 23 easterly to 1 km east of County Road 34, into December.

(2)  Access to and from Highway 3 will no longer be possible from the following roads after Monday, May 11, weather permitting:
• Cameron Side Road
• Marsh Road
• Inman Side Road
• Upcott Side Road

(3)  County Road 34 south of Highway 3 remains closed until May 23, on dates weather permitting. Access to Highway 3 will not be available in this time.

(4)  County Road 34 north of Highway 3 remains closed until June 16, on dates weather permitting. Access to Highway 3 will not be available in this time.

Meantime, numerous County of Essex road projects begin next week. Including:

County Road 8 will have lane restrictions from Cameron Sideroad to Brien Avenue East beginning Tuesday, May 12 for road construction.

County Road 8 will have lane restrictions between County Road 31 and Kent Road 1 beginning Wednesday, May 13 for road construction.

County Road 27 will have lane restrictions between South Middle Road and MUN 2619 (South Limit of South Woodslee) beginning Tuesday, May 12 for road construction.

County Road 3 north of County Road 8 will have lane restrictions between County Road 9 and Martin Lane on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13.

County Road 2 (Broadway Street) will be closed between Royal Crescent and Ducharme Street on Monday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., for shoulder work done by the Municipality of Lakeshore.

Other County of Essex closures are ongoing:

On April 20 the intersection of County Road 42 and Lesperance Road closed for construction, in all four approaching directions. This, to allow for the complete rebuild of the intersection to match the new, widened CR 42 cross-section. Work includes the widening of the intersection to five-plus lanes, new sidewalks, bicycle lanes, pedestrian crosswalks, street lights and traffic signals. The anticipated duration of the four-way closure is approximately six weeks, or until about the end of May. Businesses at the CR 42 & Lesperance intersection remain accessible, via Lesperance. For more on the County Road 42 project, check out the project page at our website: https://www.countyofessex.ca/cr42

County Road 12 is closed at the intersection of Batten Sideroad – just south of Highway 3 in the Town of Essex – for culvert replacement. The work began April 13 and is expected to last approximately six weeks. Please use caution and follow the posted detour.

County Road 42 is closed between County Road 37 and Queen Street South (Kent Road 1) in Lakeshore, for bridge work. This nine-month project began February 17. Please use caution and follow the posted detour. 

County Road 50 is closed between County Road 23 and County Road 13 in the Town of Essex for culvert work. The project began March 2 and is expected to take approximately 12 weeks to complete. Please use caution and follow the posted detour.

And a reminder to please exercise PATIENCE with line-painting operations. Be prepared to drive slowly, and do NOT drive over the wet paint, to prevent damage to your vehicle.