Major construction set to resume on Grand River Street North as County of Brant moves forward with multi-year expansion

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

More than $9 million in provincial funding will help support road widening, new roundabouts and infrastructure upgrades designed to accommodate growth in north Paris.

Construction is ramping up along Grand River Street North as the County of Brant moves forward with the next phase of a major infrastructure project designed to improve traffic flow, road safety and accommodate growth in the community over the next 30 years.

The multi-year project, which began in 2023, will eventually transform the busy corridor between Silver Street and Watts Pond Road into a four-lane roadway, complete with four roundabouts, upgraded underground infrastructure and new pedestrian and cycling connections.

In a recent update distributed through its Engage Brant platform, the County confirmed construction will begin on Ann Wilson Way before moving onto Grand River Street North. Work on the main roadway is expected to begin once the current phase of the Downtown Dig is completed, anticipated within the next couple of weeks.

The project represents a significant investment in the future of north Paris, where continued residential development, a planned new public elementary school and a new fire hall are expected to increase demands on existing infrastructure.

According to a staff report presented to council in May, Grand River Street North currently varies between two and four lanes, with inconsistent turning lanes and two signalized intersections. A 2023 traffic count recorded an average of 14,350 vehicles travelling the corridor daily.

The improvements are intended to address existing traffic concerns while preparing the roadway for future growth.

In May, County of Brant council approved awarding the second phase of construction to J-AAR Civil Infrastructures Limited at a tender price of approximately $10.14 million, excluding HST. Five contractors submitted bids for the project, with J-AAR submitting the lowest.

This phase focuses on the southern portion of the corridor, extending from Bradbury Crescent to a point north of Scott Avenue, now known as Ann Wilson Way.

Work includes widening Grand River Street North to four lanes, separated by a raised centre median, along with upgrades to stormwater drainage, water and wastewater infrastructure. The project also includes construction of Ann Wilson Way, which will provide access to the North Paris Fire Hall, Paris Memorial Forest and Gilbert Water Treatment Plant.

Additional improvements will include a continuous two-metre-wide sidewalk along the east side of Grand River Street North, a three-metre-wide multi-use path along the west side and upgraded streetlighting throughout the corridor.

Stormwater improvements will also address environmental concerns by collecting roadway runoff and directing it outside the local wellhead protection area. New treatment infrastructure will help manage contaminants before water is discharged.

The County has secured $9,355,509 in provincial funding through the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing program to support road and stormwater improvements associated with the second and third phases of construction.

The funding will help offset project costs for local taxpayers, although the province requires construction to be substantially completed by 2028 to receive the full benefit.

The overall project is being completed in three major phases. The first, undertaken in 2023 and 2024, involved significant watermain and wastewater upgrades between Bradbury Crescent and Hartley Avenue. The second phase is now moving forward, while the third will extend improvements northward to Watts Pond Road.

Despite the scale of construction, the County says Grand River Street North will remain open to two-way traffic throughout most of the project, with one northbound and one southbound lane maintained.

Contractors are also required to maintain access for pedestrians, residents and emergency services. 

Temporary side street closures may be necessary, while overnight closures could occur during roundabout paving, with approved detours in place.

The County is reminding residents that businesses along the corridor, including shops, restaurants and service providers, will remain open throughout construction.

With several major infrastructure projects already affecting traffic patterns in Paris, including the ongoing Downtown Dig, motorists should anticipate changing traffic conditions as work progresses.

Residents and business owners can follow construction updates, traffic changes and project timelines by subscribing to notifications through the County's Engage Brant website at EngageBrant.ca/GrandRiverStreet.