‘We dropped about 80% of our business’: Front Road residents, businesses managing effects of reconstruction

Extensive construction is causing trouble for local businesses in LaSalle. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco looks into it.

For months, a side entrance off Kenwood Boulevard has been the major lifeline keeping Rene’s Auto Service operating during storm sewer reconstruction on Front Road in LaSalle.

“If it wasn’t for that we’d be doing nothing,” Kelich told CTV News. “We dropped about 80 per cent of our business. In the springtime, it’s better than the fall, but we’re still down quite a bit.”

LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche says the construction crew has done their best to ensure access to each business.

“They have been really helpful in that sense in allowing us to use it, if they’re not around, if they’re close by then obviously, we can’t,” she says.

The effects of the construction have seen north-south traffic move to Matchette which has caused backups and headaches for many including Marylou, a Matchett Road resident.

“Any time between 3 [p.m.] and 7 [p.m.], it’s almost impossible to get out of the driveway,” she said.

Jim Fortier also lives on Matchett Road.

“I’ve seen it backed up corner to corner; nobody moves,” Fortier said. “Sometimes they’re bumper to bumper and they just, you gotta wait to try to wait to get in or out of your driveway. It’s always been a busy street but worse when Front Road is shut down.”

One resident tells CTV News impatient motorists can be heard honking and yelling at vehicles.

Marylou has ruined her front lawn to ensure the front end of her car faces the street because backing out of her driveway is next to impossible. She looks forward to the end of the reconstruction.

“Absolutely, the sooner the better. I can’t wait,” she said.

Meloche says a little bit of relief is on the horizon, as Laurier Drive is about to reopen.

“I’m happy to say within the next week or so, maybe two weeks, we should see the Laurier area, really everything south of Laurier fully opening,” Meloche said.

She explains reconstruction will then move north of Laurier to Reaume, all of which is expected to be complete sometime in late July.

On Tuesday council will discuss road closures for the Strawberry Festival Parade on June 13 which will be held once again at the Vollmer Complex.

“We’ve never had it right there since we’ve moved it to the Vollmer so this is quite a different change for us and we might love it, I don’t know. It’s going to be a change for our residents who always enjoyed it off Front Road,” she said.

Meloche isn’t trying to force council into approving the new route but says it’s the only viable option on the table to consider.

“If they’re not okay with it, the only other option is to cancel the parade for 2026,” she said.

Once the work on Front Road is complete, Meloche says attention will turn to Malden Road.

“In ’27, you will see lights at Reaume and Malden. You’ll see three lanes, so we’ll have the dedicated turn lane in the middle.” Meloche explained. “In ’26, you’ll see some bridge work, you’ll see utility replacements and things like that going along Malden Road for the major construction, when that’ll happen in 27.”

According to Meloche, Malden will have enhanced bike lanes and sidewalks as well with the work expected to take eight months.