ON April 22, contractor Navacon Construction Inc. began Norfolk County’s planned reconstruction of Harbour St. in Port Dover. The street is now closed to vehicles between Main St. and St. George St., including on weekends, until further notice.

Due to reconstruction, vehicles cannot park at the pier. Norfolk, Navacon, and Perch Derby organizers are collaborating to ensure the public can safely access the lake along Harbour St. and the pier by foot during the project, which overlaps with the derby.

Navacon erected a safety fence on Harbour St. to separate the walkable space by the water from roadwork. Norfolk County project manager Matthew Stam said the contractor will maintain pedestrian access to the lake where the barrier ends at the intersection of Harbour and Main streets and by the monument near the pier. There will also be an access point near the middle of the fence, but it will be closed during working hours on weekdays for safety reasons.

Mr. Stam mentioned that “the contractor is aware of the fishing derby and will do their best to maintain access during that time, where it is safe to do so.”

The county expects reconstruction to be complete by the end of July. The project will pause from June 12–15 so as not to interfere with Friday the 13th festivities in town.

Here’s a snapshot of the reconstruction plan’s timeline and goals:

• April 22–30: Sanitary sewer and road building between St. George St. and pier.
• May 1–8: Work on storm sewer around 32 Harbour St.
• May 12–June 4: Two phases of curb pouring.
• May 16–June 10: Sidewalk pouring, following the curb and giving it time to cure.
• May 28–June 10: Landscaping.
• June 9: Placing base asphalt from the pier to St. Andrew St.
• June 10–11: General site cleanup and safety review for Friday the 13th.
• June 16–July 11: Work from St. Andrew St. to the parking lot, including placing surface asphalt for the entire project area.

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Originally published April 30, 2025