Odessa residents are preparing for another school year with road construction still underway

Construction was to have been completed last week but will continue into September.

Work on Main Street and Durham Street will continue as students return to Odessa Public School and Ernestown Secondary School.

The project was previously expected to be completed by the start of the school year, but construction will now continue into September.

That has some community members raising concerns about traffic, parking and getting students to school safely.

Loyalist Township Mayor Jim Hegadorn says the municipality has been working with the county, school boards, Tri-Board Transportation, OPP and by-law officers to prepare for the increased traffic.

School buses will use North Street and Old Wilton Road to reach the school area and the high school’s existing bus loop.

Families are being encouraged to plan ahead and consider park-and-walk options. 

Community and student council member Erin, shares her concerns.

She also says there hasn't been much communication. 

Pedestrian access across the Main Street bridge will remain open.

But students and their families are not the only ones being effected. The business community on Main street have remained open thouout the work.

Jason Yoo, owner of Pop In Food Store. located directly beside the construction zone on the west, says sales are down.

The major infrastructure project includes road, watermain, sewer and drainage upgrades and is expected to continue over several construction seasons.

Story by Alyssa Brush with files from Emily Chatwood