Road Closures
City of Woodstock is responsible for the construction and maintenance of 213 kilometres of roads. In an effort to maintain our City's roads, sidewalks, watermains and sewers, we occasionally need to close streets for construction, maintenance and repairs.
We'll make every effort to notify you about road closures or service disruptions as early as possible. All dates are tentative and may change without notice.
2023 Construction Projects
Vansittart Avenue and Dundas Street
Starting Oct. 2, the intersection of Vansittart Avenue and Dundas Street will be closed for approximately four to six weeks. The project includes the installation of traffic lights, watermain replacement, and new storm and sanitary sewers. You can view 511 for updated detour routes. Access to local businesses will be maintained throughout the construction project.
City of Woodstock Road Reconstruction
The 2023 Road Reconstruction Schedule includes the list of streets to undergo reconstruction in 2023. The project list also includes the anticipated start date, duration and project number.
Oxford County Road Construction Projects
In addition to construction projects on City streets, the County of Oxford also maintains a list of County roads that are scheduled for reconstruction. You can find the list of County Road Construction Projects on the County's website.
Driving Through Construction Zones
Keep the safety of workers, pedestrians and drivers in mind!
- Reduce your speed and keep a safe distance from other vehicles, workers and pedestrians
- Watch for workers and follow their direction
- Obey all signs; they are there for your safety
- Be prepared for changing road surfaces
- Watch for trucks turning and backing up
- Plan an alternative route if possible
What to do During Road Reconstructions
Access to Property
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to avoid impacting nearby residents during the actual heavy construction portion of the project. Heavy equipment will generate noise, vibration, fumes and dust. When roadways, driveway ramps and sidewalks are being excavated and removed, area residents may not be able to access to their street or driveway by car for a period of time. You may pick up a temporary parking permit that will allow you to park your vehicle on a nearby side street or designated area by the City until you have access to your street or driveway. For your safety, please do not enter into a work site.
Garbage and Recycling Pick-up
Please continue to place garbage and recycling at the end of your driveway by 7:30 a.m. on your collection day unless otherwise notified. If the garbage and recycling trucks are unable to travel on the roadway, the contractor will take these containers to the nearest intersection or designated area for pickup.
Please use plastic garbage bags wherever possible and clearly mark returnable containers with your house number and street address. Please note that if your garbage and recycling materials are not set out per our requirements, they will not be picked up by the contractor.
Our regular maintenance program (see our Road and Sidewalk Maintenance) is designed to proactively address the wear and tear on our streets but if you notice something that needs to be fixed, let us know.
For emergencies or after-hours issues, call the appropriate Emergency Contact.
Road Closure Permits
Special Events Road Closure Permit
A special event road closure permit is required for anyone wanting to hold a small parade/procession, street block party, a race/walk/bike-a-thon, demonstration or any similar event that requires a lane or road closure or may interfere with the normal flow of traffic on any city road. For larger venue events please contact the Manager of Special Events. If you wish to book a picnic in our city parks, please contact the Parks Department.
General conditions
- Road closures will be restricted to the roadway area specified.
- The permit holder/organizer must provide advance notice of the special event and street closure to all property owners along the route of the event so they may notify other parties such as visitors and special deliveries.
- Emergency and regular vehicular access to all properties on the street is to be made available at all times.
- The permit holder/organizer agrees to follow all the provisions stated in the Special Events Road Closure Bylaw, Chapter 837.
- The permit holder/organizer must notify all emergency services 48 hours notice prior to the closure/event with the date and time of the closure. Call 519-537-2323.
- If police assistance is required, the permit holder/organizer must contact the Administrative Sergeant, Woodstock Police Services by email or by phone at 519-421-2800 ext. 2601.
- The permit holder/organizer will be responsible to set up and take down the allocated road closure devices as per the requirements of Public Works Department. Deliver of these devices will occur on the weekday afternoon prior to the event and collected the following weekday morning after the event. Damaged or missing devices will accrue to the permit holder/organizer.
- No alcoholic beverages will be permitted on the City's right-of-way.
- The permit holder/organizer will remain at the event until its conclusion and have the approved permit on hand.
- A detailed map must be submitted with the application in form of a PDF showing the exact location of event, bbqs, temporary play structures (i.e.: but not limited to bouncy castle, etc.), music/bands, food trucks (proper business license is required and must accompany the permit application. Contact the Clerk's Department for food truck details), any other items that will be a part of your event. Tent permits may be required. Please follow up with the Building Department for details. Failure to provide all the necessary details on your map may delay the application process.
- The permit holder/organizer may be asked to provide a public liability insurance in the amount of $2,000,000 prior to the event.
- The City will be held harmless from and against all liability, loss, claims, demands, costs & expenses.
To request a special events road closure, please complete the application form and fax it to 519-421-3250 attention Engineering Office Supervisor or email it to the Engineering Office Supervisor with the subject line - Special Events Request.
Please allow no less than 10 business days to review the application and follow up if necessary. Permit holder/organizer and anyone attending the event is still required to adhere to all city bylaws including the Special Events Road Closure Bylaw.
Road Occupancy / Access Permit
If you just require access onto city property, you are required to apply for a Road Occupancy/Access Permit (for example if you are refacing a building, installing signage, accessing a utility manhole)
Road Occupancy / Access Permit Application Form
Road Occupancy Permits should be emailed or dropped off at the Engineering Office at 944 James St., Woodstock,
The following documentation must accompany your application. Please refer to the back of the application form for a detailed list of general conditions and requirements.
- WSIB certificate showing type of work being performed is covered
- Insurance certificate in the amount of $5 million identifying the Corporation of the City of Woodstock as third party insured from the commencement of work until the date of completion. Coverage must consist of comprehensive policy of public liability, and property damage insured for the work
- A traffic control plan as per the Ontario Traffic Control Manual, Book 7, Temporary Conditions latest revision.
Please allow one to two weeks to review and process the application, and follow up if necessary to clarify any uncertainties.
Road Excavation Permit
Working on City Property?
If you are excavating or digging up the road or boulevard (City Right-of-Way), you are require to apply for a Road Excavation Permit. Excavation Permits should be emailed to the Engineering Technologist or dropped off at the Engineering Office at 944 James St., Woodstock.
The following documentation must accompany your application. Please refer to the back of the application form for a detailed list of general conditions and requirements.
- WSIB certificate showing type of work being performed is covered
- Insurance certificate in the amount of $5 million identifying the Corporation of the City of Woodstock as third party insured from the commencement of work until the date of completion. Coverage must consist of comprehensive policy of public liability, and property damage insured for the work
- A traffic control plan as per the Ontario Traffic Control Manual, Book 7, Temporary Conditions latest revision
Please allow one to two weeks to review and process the application, and follow up if necessary to clarify any uncertainties. For more information on excavation permits please call 519-539-2382 ext. 3114
Call Before You Dig
It is important to locate all of the utility lines around your project site. In fact, under the Ontario regulations, it is the law. Please call Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or go to their website at ON1Call.com.
Temporary Downtown Construction Permit
A construction permit waives the maximum uptown parking time permitted to allow a contractor's vehicle or refuse bin to be parked or located beyond the two hour time restrictions. The applicant is still required to adhere to all bylaws and posted signs on city and county streets as well as in our municipal lots. That is you will not be permitted to park in no parking areas or no stopping areas.
A permit will be issued only for the minimum required time necessary to complete the construction and at the discretion of the Office of the City Engineer. Refuse bins shall be removed immediately after completion of the construction. With exception of the refuse bin, the permit shall not be valid for the applicable hours on designated snow clearing routes/streets. (2:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.) The cost for this permit is $20/space/week. Method of payment is cash, debit or cheque.
Failure to comply with the general conditions found on the reverse side of the application will result in the issuance of a parking infraction notice.
If you will be working on the City Right-of-Way, a Road Occupancy Permit is required. See above.
