Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Thunder Bay has awarded the Victoria Avenue reconstruction contract to Finnway General Contractor Inc., a major milestone in the next phase of the city’s Reimagine Victoriaville project.
Finnway’s winning bid of $18.4 million came in on budget and was confirmed during a city council update May 12.
Construction, set to begin this spring, will include the deconstruction of the aging Victoriaville Centre, a key move that will allow the reopening and full redesign of Victoria Avenue and Syndicate Avenue. The updated corridor will feature bike lanes, widened sidewalks, patio space for local businesses, and two new public plazas, creating a modern, pedestrian-friendly downtown environment.
“This project is about more than removing an aging structure; it’s about enhancing the vitality in our downtown, improving infrastructure, and creating a space for everyone,” Aaron Ward, Manager of Engineering for the City of Thunder Bay, said in a press release. “Collaboration has been key to building a foundation for a revitalized downtown.”
Beyond surface improvements, the project includes major underground infrastructure upgrades, such as replacement of aging watermains and storm sewer systems, to improve reliability and support future growth.
Once complete, the downtown corridor will be transformed into a dynamic, accessible space that safely integrates pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles while offering vibrant, inclusive areas for public gathering and business development.
The city has brought together a multi-disciplinary team including Colliers Project Leaders as project manager, working with KGS Group, Scatliff + Miller + Murray, i4 Architecture, and Sever Lupu.
Substantial completion is expected by fall 2026.