Lanark County traffic delays, road closures and more: Aug. 6 – 11

Drivers in Lanark County and surrounding areas should be aware of several ongoing road construction projects and closures between August 6 and August 11, 2024. Here are the key areas to watch out for:

Puppets Up! Road Closures

The Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival returns to Downtown Almonte Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11.

Due to the festival, please be advised of the following road closures:

• Mill Street (full closure) – Saturday, Aug. 10 (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, Aug. 11 (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Detours are Bridge Street and Main Street.

• Little Bridge Street (full closure) – Saturday, Aug. 10 (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, Aug. 11 (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Residents of Thoburn Mill and those with parking in the area will have access.

Signage and barricades will be in place. 

In addition, the Bridge Street intersection at the top of Mill Street will be closed briefly (approximately 45 minutes from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m.) on both Saturday and Sunday to allow the festival parade to cross. The parade will travel down Mill Street.

Blakeney Bridge Closure

The Blakeney Bridge, located 800 metres east of Highway 29 on Blakeney Road, remains closed for a major replacement project. This closure, which began in June, is expected to continue through December 2024. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes.

County Road 43 (Highway 43) Construction

Work continues on a 7.6 km stretch of County Road 43 from Station Road to Mazie Street. While the project was scheduled to be completed by Aug. 2, drivers should be prepared for potential delays or lingering work zones. The construction includes cold-in-place reclamation and paving with warm-mix asphalt.

County Road 511 (Highway 511) Improvements

Construction is ongoing on County Road 511, with work being carried out by Crain’s Construction Ltd. This project, which began on July 8, may still be affecting traffic flow during the specified dates.

County Road 20 (Kinburn Sideroad) Upgrades

Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. is working on a 1.9 km section of County Road 20 from Timmins Road to Pakenham Historic Five Span Bridge. This project, which started on July 15, is scheduled to finish by August 30. Drivers should expect ongoing construction activity and possible delays in this area.

General Road Maintenance

Throughout Lanark County, including Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place, Perth, and Smiths Falls, drivers should be prepared for various maintenance activities. These may include bridge cleaning, roadside mowing, pothole patching, and sign repairs. While these activities may not result in full road closures, they could lead to periodic single-lane reductions.Motorists are reminded to obey all signage and follow instructions from traffic control personnel to ensure safety in construction zones. For the most up-to-date information on road closures and construction projects, drivers are encouraged to check the Municipal 511 website before travelling. As weather conditions and project timelines can change, it’s advisable for drivers to allow extra time for their journeys and consider alternative routes when possible during this busy construction period in Lanark County.