Metrolinx Notice: Albert St. water main installation and water shutoff at Fisher St. to Albany St.

The Bowmanville Extension will extend Lakeshore East GO rail service nearly 20 km east of the Durham College Oshawa GO Station to Bowmanville, serving the Region of Durham. Expanded rail service will provide Durham Region with direct connections to the larger GO Transit network, helping to reduce congestion in the Greater Golden Horseshoe while better connecting customers to education, family, entertainment, and jobs.

What: In preparation for the Bowmanville extension, a new water main will be installed on Albert St. from Fisher St. to Albany St., under the existing railway tracks, using trenchless installation.

Starting in late August, Metrolinx’s contractor (BCP) will be doing open pen-cut trenching to tie the new water main into the existing system at Fisher St. and Albany St.

When: August 21 to September 30, 2025

During this period, work is scheduled to take place Monday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Work is scheduled during the daytime. Some activities may be scheduled overnight when in the track zone. However, working hours may be extended or rescheduled due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.

Details:

Water Service Disruption

During the process of tie-in, affected properties on Fisher St. and Albany St. will experience a temporary water shutdown. Property owners will be impacted by the shutdown will receive formal notice from Metrolinx at least 48 hours in advance.

Residents are encouraged to:

• Store water (fill up your bathtub) for drinking, toilets and personal use ahead of the scheduled water shut off.
• Complete water-dependent tasks such as laundry, showering, cleaning, etc., before the scheduled shutoff.
• Take necessary precautions to protect any equipment that may be affected by the water shutoff.

Area road closures until September 30, 2025

• Fisher St. traffic will not be accessible through the bridge
• Albert St. from Fisher St. west of the Albert St. bridge will not be accessible.
• Trucks and buses coming from Simcoe St. onto Fisher St. may need to make three-point turns on Celina St.

Construction

Residents should expect some noise, vibration and dust due to construction activities. Temporary impacts to the roadway, including parking, due to movement of vehicles, will be mitigated using flagmen where appropriate.

Micro tunneling is a trenchless method that uses a guided boring system to install an underground water main. Site lighting will be directed away from residents’ homes.

Staff will take reasonable precautions to minimize disturbances to pedestrians and drivers, including but not limited to the following:

• Reduced idling of non-essential equipment.
• Safely securing the work area.
• White noise backup alarms on vehicles and machinery.
• Noise and vibration monitoring and mitigation measures as required.
• Fencing and signage.
• Work will take place within the rail corridor and on public roadways and land.
• There will be removal of low-lying vegetation.  

Pedestrian details

Pedestrians will be rerouted around work zones via delineated temporary detours. Please continue to exercise caution around active construction sites.

Project information is available on oshawa.ca/GOEastDurham. Community members are encouraged to subscribe to receive updates on this and other Metrolinx projects.  For project-related questions and comments, email [email protected] or visit the Lakeshore East Line GO Expansion website.