Leamington begins roundabout construction early, drivers face weeks of closures on Seacliff Drive West

Construction seen on Seacliff Drive West in Leamington, Ont. on March 31, 2026. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Construction on a new roundabout along Seacliff Drive West is underway ahead of schedule, but drivers in Leamington say the accelerated timeline is bringing weeks of disruption.

The municipality says progress in the Clearwater Street area moved faster than anticipated, allowing crews to begin work on the Seacliff Drive West roundabout earlier than originally planned.

Work began this week on Monday.

Seacliff Drive West is closed to traffic during the day throughout this phase of construction, reopening in the evenings to allow local access.

More significant disruptions are expected starting in mid-April, when the road will be closed to through traffic at Sherk Street and Fraser Road for approximately four weeks while concrete work within the roundabout is completed.

Residents in the area say the construction is already having an impact.

Donna Jacobs, who lives near the project, said she’s looking forward to its completion.

“I’ll be glad when it’s over, because I live two doors down,” she said, adding she hopes access to her home won’t be affected.

“As long as they don’t block my driveway again, I’m fine.”

Others say detours and rerouted traffic are creating delays on nearby streets.

Lynn Bailey, who lives off Oak Street, said congestion has increased significantly.

“It affects us quite a bit, because when we try to get off our little street onto Oak, all the traffic has been rerouted,” she said.

“So, it’s a bit of a hassle.”

Her husband, Brad Bailey, said traffic backups can stretch long distances at peak times.

“Traffic gets backed up… I would say almost a kilometre,” he said.

Despite the inconvenience, many residents say the project is a necessary step for a growing community.

“It’s progress,” said Jacobs.

“We can’t build new homes… without the infrastructure.”

Peggy Barrette said the disruption has become part of daily life.

“We’ve gotten used to it,” she said, adding it’s encouraging to see improvements being made.

“It’s nice to see that our town is keeping up with the progress and trying to make it safe.”

Municipal officials say timelines may change depending on weather, site conditions and material availability, but are asking drivers to follow posted detours and avoid closed areas.

Access to the area will be maintained for local residents and businesses, with detours in place. Drivers east of Paglione Drive are being directed to use Sherk Street, while those to the west will be routed via Fraser Road.

Meantime, most residents tell CTV News, the short-term inconvenience is simply part of the process.

“You have to pay the price,” said Brad Bailey. “That’s all there is to it.”

Municipal officials are reminding motorists to obey posted signage and avoid entering closed construction zones, citing safety concerns and unstable road conditions.

The project is part of ongoing infrastructure improvements in the area, with the roundabout expected to improve traffic flow and safety once complete.

More photos are available here.