A notice from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources that further decontamination work will be done this summer on the former Canadian International Paper (CIP) site in Hawkesbury has caused the town to decide to defer a major road construction project 2027.
The reconstruction of Main Street West was to begin this summer, but the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) notified the Town of Hawkesbury on April 30, 2026, that it intends to continue the decontamination project for the lagoon of the former pulp and paper plant. The project involves covering a mound of contaminants with fill materials. According to the MNR’s initial estimates, approximately 45,000 tonnes of material— equivalent to about 2,500 truckloads—would be required to complete the work. These estimates were later revised upward. This project involves significant heavy truck traffic, which will pass directly through the area targeted for the reconstruction of Main Street West. This situation represents a significant and direct impact on the planning and execution of the municipal project.
Municipal staff inquired with the MNR about their construction schedule and other impacts associated with having the decontamination project occurring simultaneously with the road work. The MNR confirmed that most of its work would be carried out in 2026, which would allow the municipality to have clear access to perform the Main West Street work in 2027.
In addition, consultations were conducted with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) regarding the Highway 34 overpass replacement project. Initially planned for 2027–2028, it was confirmed by the MTO that construction will begin in 2028, and the detour will be implemented in 2029.
Council’s decision to defer the Main Street West project until 2027 was made after two other options were considered. Those were carrying out part of the work this year or temporarily resurfacing the roadway and deferring the underground pipe replacement for 15 years. Staff did not recommend either of those options due to them not meeting technical recommendations, continued interference between the road project and the CIP site decontamination, and the underground pipes in the area should be replaced within a maximum of two year.
The recommendation to defer the road work to 2027 was considered preferable because it would reduce traffic problems, reduce financial and operational risk, and allow the road work to be completed all at once.
Mayor Robert Lefebvre said that due to the number of trucks which would be traveling to and from the decontamination site, it would not make sense to have the road work going on at the same time with two different types of work going on in the area.
“It was certainly a surprise for us,” Cardarelli said about receiving the MNR’s notice.
He said town staff are also planning discussions with the MTO about planning the 2029 detour for when the Highways 34 and 17 interchange is being reconstructed and potential impacts on traffic in Hawkesbury.
Councillor Jeanne Charlebois said she was not pleased to find out the work on the CIP site was again continuing, but she understands the reason to delay the road work. Charlebois does not want to see the work continually delayed, and noted people are pleased to hear the street is to be repaved.
Cardarelli said the administration has been planning the Main Street West project for a long time and it is a necessity for the municipality.
Councillor Raymond Campbell asked if it was possible to apply large patches to the roughest areas this year as a temporary measure.
Director of Public Works Jonathan Wilson said those repairs will be done.
“We’re working on potholes all the time,” he said.
Wilson also said that the 2029 detour during the Highways 34 and 17 interchange reconstruction will last for four weeks and will have to be arranged around major summer events like the Multicultural Festival and the Auto Expo.
