Notre-Dame Street Rehabilitation Project

The Township of Russell would like to thank residents, businesses, and visitors for their continued patience and cooperation as reconstruction work continues along Notre-Dame Street.

Construction activities have continued to progress eastward, and additional traffic control changes are planned over the coming weeks as crews advance through the next phase of underground infrastructure work.

Current Construction Activities

Crews are currently working on Notre-Dame Street between the Notre-Dame / St-Pierre / Ste-Marie intersection and Dignard Street, including the installation of underground watermain and storm sewer infrastructure.

Temporary watermain installation is expected to begin next week east of Dignard Street as preparations continue for the next phase of construction.

The contractor will continue to communicate directly with affected businesses and property owners as construction activities approach their properties.

Upcoming Traffic Changes

Over the next two weeks, construction activities are expected to continue progressing eastward toward the Dignard Street intersection.

To help maintain access to local residences and businesses while work progresses, traffic control measures near Dignard Street will be adjusted in stages.

As construction reaches the Dignard Street intersection, the intersection of Dignard Street and Notre-Dame Street will be temporarily closed while underground infrastructure work is completed.

During this period:

• The existing closure north of the Homestead parking lot will be removed.
• Access to Homestead and nearby residences on Dignard Street will be available from St-Pierre Road via Dignard Street.
• Access through the Dignard Street / Notre-Dame Street intersection will not be available while construction is taking place within the intersection.
• Temporary traffic control and access arrangements will be adjusted as required to safely accommodate construction activities.

Following completion of the intersection work, it is anticipated that:

• Construction activities will continue eastward on Notre-Dame Street toward Blais Street.
• The Dignard Street / Notre-Dame Street intersection will reopen to local traffic.
• Notre-Dame Street will remain closed to through traffic between the St-Pierre / Ste-Marie intersection and Blais Street until further notice.

This staged approach is intended to maintain local access while allowing construction activities to continue progressing eastward along the corridor.

Business Access

The Township and contractor remain committed to maintaining access to local businesses whenever feasible throughout construction.

Businesses will continue to receive direct communication from the contractor as work approaches their properties. Temporary adjustments to entrances, sidewalks, patios, parking areas, and vehicle access may be required while work is taking place immediately adjacent to certain businesses.

Pedestrian access to businesses will remain available whenever possible.

Public Parking Availability

As on-street parking remains unavailable within active construction areas, residents and visitors are encouraged to use nearby public parking locations, including:

• Public parking of the New York Central Recreational Trail at 901 Notre-Dame Street
• Public parking area located at 1219 Ste-Marie Street

Parking availability is limited and users are encouraged to follow all posted signage and restrictions.

Thank You

We understand that construction can be disruptive and sincerely appreciate the patience, understanding, and cooperation of residents, businesses, and visitors.

These infrastructure upgrades will provide significant long-term improvements to water, stormwater, transportation, and pedestrian infrastructure throughout the community.

For questions or concerns, please contact the Township at 613-443-1747 or infrastructure@russell.ca.

Here is your weekly construction update for Notre-Dame Street. Local businesses remain open and accessible.

West-side access (Ste-Marie/St-Pierre)

• Jean Coutu
• Medical Clinic
• Max Athletics
• Treasureland Liquidation
• Feetures
• Embrun Vape Store & Smoke
• Pretty Lash Bar & Spa
• Andrew’s Barbershop
• Bijoutier Longtin
• Salons Funéraires Laurent Hill Funeral Homes Ltd.
• Loiselle Sports
• Point S City – Garage Loiselle & Autoglass

East-side access(Blais)
• Euphie d’ici – Café & smoothie bar
• Fournier RE Group, Royal Lepage Performance
• Homestead Pub
• Marcil Lavallée

Not accessible by car
• Embrun Asian Express (Closed July 6-Aug 6)

The following businesses remain open and accessible:
• Embrun Home Hardware Building Centre
• All Out Burger

Parking available in the construction zone

While road work continues on Notre-Dame Street, we would like to remind residents that businesses remain open and accessible during construction.

Most businesses can currently be accessed from the east side near Blais Street. Residents may also drive through the construction zone to access businesses or residences located within the work area. Please drive slowly and follow all posted signs and directions from workers to help keep everyone safe.

As construction progresses eastward, access to businesses will gradually shift to the west side. We will provide weekly updates indicating which businesses can be accessed from each end of the construction zone.

West-side access (via Ste-Marie/St-Pierre Roads)

• Jean Coutu
• Medical Clinic
• Max Athletic
• Treasure Land
• Feetures
• Embrun Vape Store & Smoke

East-side access (near Blais Street)

• Euphie d’ici
• Royal LePage
• Homestead
• Marcil Lavallée
• Asian Express (Closed July 6-Aug 6)
• Garage Loiselle
• Loiselle Sport (Closed July 6-11)
• Laurent Hill Funeral Home
• Bijoutier Longtin
• Andrews Barbershop
• Pretty Lash Bar Spa

Parking

Parking is available at the following locations:

• Jean Coutu (access from St-Marie Road)
• Loiselle Sport (access from the East side)
• Loiselle Garage (access from the East side)
• Asian Express (access from the East side)
• Marcil Lavallée (access from the East side)
• Homestead – at the back off Dignard Street (access from the East side)
• Euphie d’ici (access from the East side)
• Street parking is available on Notre-Dame East until Dignard Street.
• Please respect private parking spaces reserved for residents in the construction zone.

We encourage residents to continue supporting local businesses during construction and thank you for your patience and understanding.

The Township reminds residents to respect all traffic control devices in the Notre-Dame Street construction area. We have been informed that barrels, barricades, cones and signs are being moved by members of the public. These devices are in place for the safety of everyone. Moving them can create unsafe conditions for drivers, pedestrians and construction workers. Please do not move any traffic control devices.

Residents are also reminded to follow posted detours. Voyageur Street should not be used as a shortcut, as it is a one-way street at the southern end. The official detour is through Route 400.

Local Businesses Remain Open

Businesses in the area remain open and accessible. The Township encourages residents to continue supporting local businesses during construction.

Access in Construction Zone

At this time, access is from the east (at Blais Street). You may drive slowly through the construction zone if going to a business or residence in the zone. As construction progresses to the east, access points will shift gradually and access from the west will be reintroduced to maintain local access to properties at that end of the zone.

Due to the nature of the work, it is not possible to confirm in advance when access will change for each property. The contractor, Coalwater, will continue to communicate directly with affected businesses and residents to provide notice of any changes.

We thank residents and businesses for their patience and cooperation.

The paving work on Ste-Marie Road and St-Pierre Street is almost complete, and the roads will reopen to traffic at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, June 22.

Crews are continuing with the Notre-Dame Street Rehabilitation Project and moving into the next phase of sewer work.

Full Road Closure in Effect

Notre-Dame Street, from Ste-Marie Road to Blais Street, will be closed on Monday June 22, 2026, at 6:30 a.m. for the next few months.

We understand this closure will have a significant impact on residents, businesses and daily travel. However, a full road closure is necessary to complete the work safely and as quickly as possible. We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation during this time and remind everyone to follow the posted detour routes and allow extra time for travel.

Traffic impacts

• Notre-Dame Street (from Ste-Marie Road to Blais Street) will be closed. It will remain open to local traffic from the east only (Blais St).
• Dignard Street will be closed from Notre-Dame Street to just past the Homestead parking entrance.
• There will be no through traffic within the immediate construction area, including (see red on map):
  • the intersection of Ste-Marie and Notre-Dame
  • Dignard Street behind the parking lot
• Updates will be sent as the work progresses and the limits of the construction area shifts.

Access and detours

• Only local traffic will be permitted within the closed section (orange on map).
• Official detour: St-Jacques Road to Route 400 to Ste-Marie Road.
• Business access: All businesses in the area remain open and accessible. The Township encourages residents to continue supporting local businesses during construction.

The Township of Russell will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. For full project details, visit www.russell.ca/NotreDameSt. If you have questions, contact the Infrastructure Department at infrastructure@russell.ca or 613‑443‑1747.

Construction continues on the Notre-Dame Street Rehabilitation Project at the intersection of Notre-Dame Street, Ste-Marie Road and St-Pierre Street. Crews are progressing with the sewer work and are on to the next phase of the project.

• Ste-Marie and St-Pierre Roads: Paving is scheduled for the week of June 15. These sections remain closed during this time.
• Notre-Dame Lane Usage: Alternating lanes are now in place on Notre-Dame Street to keep the sewer replacement work moving forward.

Upcoming Full Closure

Once paving is done and Ste-Marie and St-Pierre roads have re-opened, Notre-Dame Street from Ste-Marie Road to Blais Street will be closed for the next two months. We will send a road closure when an exact date is set.

• Only local traffic will be permitted within this stretch.
• Detours: Through traffic will be redirected via established detour routes to ensure safe and efficient travel around the work zone.
• Business Access: All businesses in the affected area remain open and fully accessible to customers. The Township encourages residents to continue supporting local businesses in the affected area during construction.

The Township of Russell will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. For full project details, visit www.russell.ca/NotreDameSt. If you have questions, contact the Infrastructure Department or 613‑443‑1747.

The work on the Notre-Dame Street Rehabilitation Project at the intersection of Notre Dame Street and Ste Marie Road and St Pierre Street continues and we will be moving to the next step in the project.

The full intersection closure, which began on April 15, has now ended as of May 15, 2026.

Starting May 15:

• Notre Dame Street will reopen
• Ste Marie Road and St Pierre Street will remain closed
• Detours will be updated accordingly
• The estimated duration of this phase of the project is approximately three weeks

On the project map:

• Red areas indicate a full closure
• Orange areas indicate road closures where access is maintained for local traffic

The Township encourages residents to continue supporting local businesses in the affected area during construction.

The Township of Russell will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. For full project details, visit www.russell.ca/NotreDameSt. If you have questions, contact the Infrastructure Department or 613 443 1747.

The work on the Notre-Dame Street Rehabilitation Project at the intersection of Notre-Dame Street and Ste- Marie Road and St-Pierre Street is progressing well. However, due to site conditions encountered, adjustments to the project timeline are required as we move into the next phase.

The full intersection closure, which began on April 15, will be extended by approximately one additional week. We will provide further updates as they become available.

What to expect:

• The full intersection closure will remain in effect
• Updated timelines and traffic control details will be shared as they become available
• Detours remain in place and will be updated as needed

On the project map:

• Red areas indicate a full intersection closure
• Orange areas indicate road closures where access is maintained for local traffic

The Township encourages residents to continue supporting local businesses in the affected area during construction.

Water service interruptions:

Short water interruptions may be required during this period. Affected residents will be notified in advance, where possible, with further details.

Questions or concerns:

The Township of Russell will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. For full project details, visit www.russell.ca/NotreDameSt. If you have questions, contact the Infrastructure Department or 613‑443‑1747.

The Township of Russell is providing more information about the road closure at the intersection of Notre-Dame Street and Ste-Marie/St-Pierre Roads related to ongoing construction.

The included map shows the full intersection closure, that began April 15 and is expected to last until approximately May 8, 2026. This timeline may change if unforeseen construction issues or previously unknown underground infrastructure are discovered.

A full intersection closure is required to complete most, if not all, of the underground infrastructure work at this location. The contractor will make every effort to complete as much work as possible during this period so construction can then move to the roadway approaches.

On the map:

• Areas shown in red indicate a full intersection closure.
• Areas shown in orange indicate road closures where access is maintained for local traffic. We encourage the community to continue to support businesses in the affected area during this time.
• Pedestrian access through the intersection is planned to remain available on one side of each north south movement and on one side of the east west movement.
• Please note that the contractor plans to have multiple crews working in different areas at the same time. The Township will share additional updates as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation. For questions on the project contact the Infrastructure Department or at 613-443-1747.

Road Closures and Update – Notre-Dame Street Rehabilitation Project

Construction for the Notre-Dame Street Rehabilitation Project began in early March and is progressing as planned. Project partners have confirmed that work will continue along Ste-Marie Road, moving toward Notre-Dame Street.

Over the past several weeks, the construction schedule and the complexity of several work elements were carefully reviewed. Based on this review, a full closure of the intersection at Notre-Dame Street and Ste-Marie and St-Pierre Roads was identified as the safest and most efficient option to complete the next phase of work.

Upcoming Road Closures

• When: From Wednesday April 15, 2026, at 7 a.m. until Friday May 8, 2026, at 4 p.m.
• Where: Local traffic only for the following roads; no through access at the intersection.
  • Notre‑Dame Street: closed between Domaine Street and Dignard Street.
  • St‑Pierre Road: closed between Olympic Street and Notre-Dame Street
  • St‑Marie Road: closed between St-Moritz Trail and Notre-Dame Street.
• Access to businesses: All businesses in the area will remain open and accessible during construction. Residents are encouraged to continue supporting local businesses throughout this work.
• Why: This approach will allow the contractor to complete all required underground infrastructure upgrades within the intersection area more quickly and safely.
• Detours: Please follow the clearly marked detour signs in place and view www.municipal511.ca for full detour information.

Next Stages of Construction

Once work at the intersection is finished, construction will continue in both directions along Notre-Dame Street. Some localized road closures will remain in place to avoid overlapping trench work and to reduce traffic delays.

Stay Informed

Residents and road users are encouraged to subscribe to email notices at www.russell.ca/subscribe, to follow the project page at www.russell.ca/NotreDameSt and to consult Municipal 511 for the most up to date information on detours and traffic impacts.

The Township of Russell thanks residents and businesses for their patience and cooperation while this important infrastructure project moves forward.

Please take note of the following alternating lanes:

• When: March 9, 2026, until May 8, 2026
• Where: Ste-Marie Road, between Notre-Dame Street and 250m south of Notre-Dame Street
• Why: Road work on the storm sewer replacement

Traffic is alternating in both directions, controlled by temporary traffic lights on Ste-Marie Road, between Notre-Dame Street and Castor River. Expect delays and please follow signals and on-site instructions.

Please see the map from www.Municipal511.ca for detour information.

The Township of Russell invites you to attend a Public Information Session regarding Phase 2 of the Notre Dame Street Storm Sewer Replacement and Rehabilitation Project. This is the second phase of the multi-year project.

The tender for Phase 2 was awarded to the General Contractor and construction is expected to begin within the next month and will take approximately two years to complete. The construction limits for Phase 2 include:

• Notre-Dame Street, between Domaine Street and Lapalme Street,
• Ste-Marie Road, from Notre-Dame Street to approximately 250 m south of the intersection, and
• St-Pierre Road, between Notre-Dame Street and Dignard Street.

Public Information Session Details

• Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
• Time: 6:15 p.m. – Project Presentation
• Location: Town Hall (717, Notre-Dame Street, Embrun, ON).

What Will be Presented

• Overview of the project scope and objectives
• Why the work is required
• Construction phasing and anticipated schedule
• Traffic management and access during construction
• Potential impacts to residents, businesses, and municipal services
• Question‑and‑answer period with the project team

We appreciate your cooperation and encourage you to participate in the Public Information Session to ask questions and share your feedback early in the process.

If you cannot attend the Public Information Session, you may send any questions to our Infrastructure Department. The information from the information session will be added to www.russell.ca/NotreDameSt a week before the information session. We invite you to review them ahead of the meeting and come prepared with your questions.

Good News on Notre-Dame Street!

As you may have seen, Notre-Dame Street is now fully open to traffic!

Phase 1 of this 5-phase project is now complete, and we want to extend a big thank you to all residents and local businesses in the affected area for their patience and understanding throughout the work.

More information about Phase 2, planned for next summer, will be shared as soon as it becomes available.

Thank you for your continued cooperation!

Ontario investing $9.6 million in the Township of Russell to enhance the water and storm system

Read full press release

• When: Friday, June 27, 2025, to November 2025
• Where: Notre-Dame Street from 131 m Southwest of Jeanne d’Arc Street to 31 m Northwest of Lapalme Street
• Why: Storm Sewer Replacement
• Information: Alternating lanes, please expect delays and plan alterne route if possible.

Please see the map from www.Municipal511.ca

The Township Council has approved a contract with Coalwater Excavation Inc. to proceed with the replacement of storm water sewers on Notre-Dame Street. This work is necessary to upgrade aging infrastructure, improve drainage, and to be more resilient to the climate change.

Construction Timeline

• Preparation work and survey to begin June 3, 2025
• Construction work to begin around June 23, 2025
• Estimated Completion: Winter 2025 (Final touch-ups and landscaping in Spring 2026)

Project Location

We encourage you to visit the Municipal 511 website (www.municipal511.ca) for updates regarding construction, road closures, and detour information. This service provides a map-based road information system to keep the community informed.

Scope of Work

The replacement of the storm water sewers includes:

• Pre-condition Survey of surrounding properties
• Exploratory Openings via a Vacuum Truck
• Relocation of a watermain
• Installation of new storm water sewers and outlets
• Replacement of some sidewalks
• Repaving of the entire road segment and replacing the road structure

Traffic Control – Staged Construction

The project will be completed in three key stages, as outlined below:

• Stage 1: Construction within the southern half of Notre-Dame Street while keeping the northern half open with portable traffic lights.
• Stage 2: Mirrored construction operations in the northern half of Notre-Dame Street while allowing flow in the southern half.
• Stage 3: A temporary closure of Notre-Dame Street will be required for up to two weeks to install underground infrastructure at the intersection of Notre-Dame Street and Lapalme Street. Detour signage will be posted. Please refer to Municipal 511 for detour maps and for regular updates.

Information for Property Owners, Tenants and Business Owners

Pre-condition Survey

Construction may cause vibrations due to heavy compaction and driving equipment. In rare cases, this can lead to damage to structures or contents.

To document existing conditions, Englobe Engineering—a sub-consultant to Coalwater Excavation Inc.—will conduct a pre-condition survey starting June 3rd, 2025, and continuing over the following weeks. This survey would include photographic and/or video documentation to assist with potential claims.

property owners will receive formal notification regarding the pre-condition survey. If a property is leased or rented, it is the property owner’s responsibility to inform their tenants about this process.

Tenants should be aware that Englobe Engineering may need access to properties for inspection purposes. If tenants have concerns or require further information, they should coordinate with their landlord or directly reach out to the contractor.

Temporary Water Supply

During construction, some properties will experience temporary disruptions to water service due to necessary water works. To ensure uninterrupted access to potable water, the Contractor will provide temporary water supply connections to affected residences and businesses.

Temporary potable water supply will be connected via a wye at an outside tap or to the existing water service.

Property owners and businesses should contact the contractor directly to communicate any special water supply requirements beyond these standard measures. Additionally, written notices will be provided at least 48 hours before any planned disruption to water service.

Water Pressure & Quality Concerns

If you experience any changes in water pressure or have concerns about water quality, please contact the Township of Russell as soon as possible to report the issue.

For further information regarding water service interruptions, please contact:

Carl Charbonneau
Estimator, Project Manager
Coalwater Excavation Inc.
613-324-3378

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, please contact Coalwater Excavation Inc. directly or reach out to the Project Manager from the Infrastructure Department at the Township of Russell or 613-443-1747.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to improve the infrastructure in your community.

Council awarded the first contract to Coalwater Excavation. Construction is expected to begin at the end of June. More details about the timeline and road closures will be shared as they become available.

View the Council Meeting agenda for more details.

Storm Sewers – Notre Dame Street Rehabilitation Project

Public Information Session Details:

• Date/Time:Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Location:Gaston Patenaude Hall, Township of Russell (717 Notre-Dame Street, Embrun, ON K0A 1W1)

The Township of Russell invites you to attend an upcoming Public Information Session regarding proposed improvements to Notre-Dame Street. If you are the landlord, we kindly ask that you inform your tenants about this upcoming session to ensure everyone is aware and has the opportunity to attend.

This session will be held in a drop-in format, allowing you the flexibility to stop by at your convenience.

At the session, you will have the opportunity to speak directly with Township staff and project team members, ask questions and share feedback.

Please note that while the full project will be presented during the session, only Phase 1 (from Blais St. to 964 Notre-Dame St.) is scheduled to proceed to construction this year. The remaining phases are planned for future years, as part of a multi-stage approach.

We encourage everyone to join us, learn about the project, and share your thoughts! If you are unable to attend but would like more information, please contact us our Infrastructure Department and we will send you the information package once it is available for public review.

Sincerely,

Infrastructure Services