LaSalle opts to close Malden Road during major road project

Malden Road will fully be closed, allowing for long construction projects that will begin next summer.

The Town of LaSalle will move forward with a complete closure of a busy stretch of Malden Road to allow for construction work.

Planned for June of next year, the first stage of work is expected to span from the Cahill Bridge to Stuart Boulevard, lasting about six months.

At a council meeting Tuesday night, council voted 4-1 in favour of the complete closure rather than keeping one lane open. Deputy Mayor Michael Akpata voted against the motion, and Coun. Mark Carrick declared a conflict of interest.

“Hearing there’s still that access for those people and that businesses are going to have access another way and knowing that there’s no left turns on Malden just showed me that it doesn’t make sense for us to try to leave this open,” said Crystal Meloche, the Mayor of LaSalle.

Stage two of the construction will span from Stuart to Reaume Road, with work expected to begin in March 2027 and last about six months.

Town staff warned against an option that would have kept the road open with one temporary lane and required flag staff but may have created more congestion.

By opting for a complete closure, the town will reduce its timeline by two months and save approximately $725,000.

“So the least amount of time we can impact the residents, I think, is probably better, because it’s sounding like if we kept that open, that is going to be even more frustrating for them, and it’s even longer, so, it just the best that we could do in a very difficult situation,” Meloche told CTV News.

Work will include widening the road to three lanes, installing a new storm sewer, installing new sidewalks and curbs, and creating two new pedestrian crossings.

Residents in the area will still have access to their homes, and staff ensured council that businesses will still be accessible for customers.

Due to the added traffic, Meloche wants the town to look at traffic measures to ensure residents on side streets and in detour areas aren’t hurt by congestion or speeding.

“I want to make sure that we’re doing everything possible to protect those neighborhoods, and so whatever different type of calming measures we can put in place, I’d like to consider all of them at this point in time,” she said.

In an effort to mitigate added traffic, the town will not start on the Malden construction work until all work on Front Road is finished.

“There is a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow, and we’re all going to appreciate it when we get there, but it’s going to be painful getting there,” the mayor said.