A city councillor is asking the public to be cautious around the Dominion Boulevard construction, and to take a detour if possible.
Work on Dominion from Northwood Street to Ojibway Street began in early August, but ward 10 councillor, Jim Morrison, says now that school is back in session the area is more congested than ever.
He says he's asking drivers who have to go through the area to be extra cautious of children in the area, but says there are many detours available to avoid the construction altogether.
The busy stretch is closed as the city completes storm sewer, water main, pavement, and street lighting rehabilitation work, as well as adding bike lanes and new sidewalks in the area.
Morrison says while they expected the congestion, the area is very busy now that school has begun.
"I'm asking anybody that doesn't need to go to the schools to stay away from that area if they can, look for a detour, because streets like Longfellow are really, really backed up right now, and it's causing problems for everybody."
He says they have added extra crossing guards to the school areas.
"If you can have your child walk, that would be great. Second, put them on a bus, I still see parents driving their children to school when they really are eligible for busing and that takes a lot of cars off the roads."
Morrison adds that he's asking all drivers to be patient in the area.
"I see cars that are actually speeding up because they're being inconvenienced. So, think of the kids. Be safe. I'm seeing cars that are turning right into children walking, so please, please, just slow down and leave a little early, and if you can find an alternate route please do so."
The $5.5-million project is expected to be under construction until December, 2023.
To go north and south, drivers are using Longfellow Avenue before getting back on Dominion, so drivers want the turn signals to be longer. Morrison says the city is looking into doing so until construction is completed.
-with files from AM800's Kathie McMann