Construction, Closures & Service Disruptions
From time to time, regular or emergency construction, repairs, events, or other circumstances may result in full or partial road closures, traffic delays, and/or water and wastewater service disruptions. Please see below for a list of current or upcoming issues that may result in service disruptions.
Traffic Disruptions & Closures
Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge Rehabilitation
The Ministry of Transportation’s contractor, Aecon Construction, is rehabilitating the Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge on County Road 49.
Rehabilitation work resumed in Spring 2022. Learn more on the project website.
Picton Main Street reconstruction
The reconstruction of Picton Main Street between Bridge Street and Johnson Street began on Monday, July 4. Work is expected to continue until November 18, 2022.
Learn more about the project and the detour routes.
County Road 4 bridge rehabilitation
The bridge, located on County Road 4 approximately 1 km east of Highway 62 at the Consecon River, is completely closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic during rehabilitation.
In order to facilitate the rehabilitation, traffic will be detoured around the bridge via Jericho Road and Doxsee Road. View the map
Talbot Street / County Road 4 Reconstruction
The County is making roadway improvements on County Road 4 from the Millennium Trail to County Road 34, inclusive of intersection improvements with Hull Road and County Road 34. In addition, the County is reconstructing Talbot Street from George Wright Boulevard to the Millennium Trail.
Traffic disruptions may occur during this work.
Water Services Disruptions & Notifications
Watermain Flushing & Hydrant Maintenance
Flushing takes place between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday. Watermains are flushed and hydrants serviced throughout all of The County’s drinking water systems in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code (Ontario, Regulation 730/81).
While flushing is taking place, customers are asked to avoid excessive water use (Example: running tap water for extended periods, using the washing machine and dish washer simultaneously).
Customers in the immediate areas may experience intermittent pressure fluctuations and some discolouration of tap water while flushing is being completed. This does not affect the safety or quality of your water.
If coloured water has been experienced, customers should run the cold water tap closest to the water meter for a few minutes until tap water runs clear. Customers are advised to wait until the water runs clear at the tap before doing laundry or running the dishwasher. Using discoloured water in your washing machine could result in stained laundry.
Customers are asked not to approach water operations staff in the field conducting hydrant flushing and to respect physical/social distancing provisions maintaining a minimum distance of 6.5 feet or 2 metres if passing by due to COVID-19.
To receive updates on specific areas where hydrant flushing is taking place, follow The County on Twitter and on Facebook.
Sanitary Sewer Flushing
Sanitary sewer flushing is part of the regular maintenance program for the wastewater collection system. Flushing is conducted to ensure proper operation of the sanitary mains and pump stations, helps to prevent blockages, and removes debris that can build up in the collection system. Sanitary sewer flushing and preventative maintenance on pump stations are conducted throughout the collection system in areas known to experience higher loadings of debris on an annual basis, or more often as determined through routine monitoring. Other areas in the collection system are flushed on a rotating basis or based on operator inspection outcomes.
Sanitary sewer flushing schedule
Spring Program: April – June
- Picton Wastewater Collection System
Fall Program: September – November
- Wellington Wastewater Collection System
Specific information about when sanitary sewer flushing is happening in your neighbourhood is posted on the County News & Notices page and The County’s social media accounts.
What to expect when sanitary sewer flushing is underway
A sewer truck is utilized to flush and remove debris from sanitary sewer mains underground. One, and sometimes two trucks will work in tandem, usually one block at a time to flush the collection system. Professionals and Licensed Wastewater Operators work together to operate specialized equipment to apply high pressure water to the sanitary sewer main which scours the mains and dislodges debris and buildup. When necessary, a second vacuum truck will gather and remove debris from the sanitary sewer for disposal.
While sanitary sewer flushing does not include the cleaning of sewer laterals (the pipes that carry sanitary sewage from your home or business to the common main on the street), occasionally high pressure water can cause bubbling or splashing, particularly in basement and lower level toilets. It is recommended to keep toilet seats closed while sanitary sewer flushing is taking place in your area.
You can help to keep your community’s sanitary collection system operating efficiently and effectively. Residents are encouraged to avoid disposing of personal hygiene products, sanitary wipes, diapers, paper towels, grease/oil, food waste, pet litter/bedding, and large pieces of waste down the drains and toilet. Even products labelled as “flushable” can cause blockages in the sanitary collection system. It is recommended to only flush toilet tissue and sanitary sewage down toilets, and remove debris and hair as much as possible before draining sinks and bathtubs. Disposing of harmful or toxic chemicals or medications/medical products should not be disposed of to the sanitary collection system. Please use resources such a hazardous waste disposal depot or your local pharmacy to discard these products.
Water Restrictions
Water use can increase by 50% or more at drinking water treatment facilities during summer months as a result of increased water usage for outdoor purposes, like watering grass and washing vehicles.
Significant increases in water use can result in impacts to water supply in the resulting in:
- lower water pressures in The County’s distribution system,
- reduced available water storage,
- additional stress on facility operation,
- increased system impacts, and/or
- low water levels in surrounding water bodies and groundwater.
To limit impacts of increased water usage, The County may regulate the use of drinking water for outside purposes through the Water Conservation By-Law. Water restrictions may be implemented seasonally or not at all depending on the conditions in the water treatment facility and source water in a given year. For customers connected to the Peat’s Point Drinking Water System, water restrictions remain in place year-round. See information circulated to customers of the Peat’s Point Drinking Water System here and here.
Other Notifications
Seasonal sidewalk closures
Seasonal sidewalk closures come into effect between November and April each year in various hamlets and some urban areas in Picton, Wellington, and Consecon.
The sidewalks close because the municipality does not typically perform winter maintenance on the designated sidewalks or is unable to do so due to physical obstacles.
Urban Areas
Consecon
Street Name
From / To
Consecon Main Street (East Side)
From County Road 29 to Division Boulevard
Consecon Main Street (West Side)
From Porter Street northerly to end of sidewalk
Division Street
From Porter Street to Consecon Main Street
Pigtail Lane
From County Road 29 to end of sidewalk
Wellington
Street Name
From / To
Wharf Street
From Wellington Main Street to the end of the sidewalk
Picton
Street Name
From / To
Century Drive
Paul Street / End of sidewalk
Ena Street
Ferguson Street / Burns Avenue
Burns Avenue
Ena Street / Baxter Lane
Bowery Street
Picton Main Street / Mary Street
Bowery Street (west side)
23 Bowery Street / End of sidewalk
Bowery Street (east side)
Mary Street / End of sidewalk
Johnson Street
Picton Main Street / Hill Street
Hill Street
Johnson Street / Fairfield Street
Hill Street
Division Street / Spencer Street
Fairfield Street (both sides)
Picton Main Street / End of sidewalk
Division Street
Picton Main Street / Broad Street
Division Street (north side)
Broad Street / Hill Street
Spencer Street
Hill Street / Water treatment plant
Williams Street
Picton Main Street / York Street
Hamlet Areas
Northport
Street Name
From / To
County Road 15
Demille Street / 178m east of Northport Street (end of sidewalk)
Northport Street
County Road 15 / Solmes Street
Solmes Street
Northport Road / Demille Street
Demorestville
Street Name
From / To
County Road 5
County Road 15 / Potter Road
Miflord
Street Name
From / To
County Road 10
47m south of Saint Philip Street (End of Sidewalk) / County Road 18
County Road 18
County Road 33 (Loyalist Parkway) / 52m west of County Road 10 (end of sidewalk)
Hillier
Street Name
From / To
County Road 33 (Loyalist Parkway)
173m south of Station Road (end of sidewalk) / Station Road
Station Road
County Road 33 (Loyalist Parkway) / 44 Station Road (end of sidewalk)
Rossmore
Street Name
From / To
Ridley Street
All partial sections from Reddick Street to 12 Ridley Street
Station Road
County Road 33 (Loyalist Parkway) / 44 Station Road (end of sidewalk)