The City of Brantford has announced that construction for the Downtown Revitalization Project will officially begin next week. This major initiative, approved as a Council priority, will focus on upgrading both underground and aboveground infrastructure in the downtown area, with the goal of supporting future growth, transforming downtown into a destination, and improving safety and accessibility for all residents and visitors.
Before the City can commence full construction in the spring, Enbridge Gas, through its contractor AECON, will begin replacing natural gas infrastructure on Colborne Street, Brant Avenue, Dalhousie Street, and Bridge Street starting on January 20, 2025. This preparatory work, scheduled to take approximately six weeks depending on weather conditions, is a critical step in readying the area for the broader revitalization effort.
During this phase, residents and businesses can expect replacement of the gas main and individual gas services to buildings, temporary patches on sidewalks following gas line replacement (with permanent reconstruction planned later), and temporary lane closures, sidewalk closures, and limited parking availability during work hours.
The detailed schedule for this work is as follows:
- Colborne Street (January 20 to 31): Partial sidewalk closure with pedestrian access maintained.
- Brant Avenue (February 3 to 14): Right lane and sidewalk closure; six parking spaces on Colborne Street East will be used.
- Dalhousie Street (February 17 to 21): Right turning lane and sidewalk closure; vehicles will turn right from the through lane. Six parking spaces on Colborne Street East will be used.
- Bridge Street (February 24 to 28): One lane and sidewalk closure; six parking spaces on Colborne Street East will be used.
The City has assured residents that sidewalk and business entryway access will remain open wherever possible. Property owners and businesses affected by these closures have already been notified directly.
To support ongoing communication, the City is holding in-person office hours every Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for those who wish to discuss the project with staff. Appointments outside of these hours can also be scheduled by emailing cobdowntown@brantford.ca.
The City has emphasized its commitment to working closely with Enbridge Gas to minimize disruptions and appreciates the patience of residents and businesses as this critical infrastructure improvement progresses. For further information on the Downtown Revitalization Project, visit Brantford.ca/NewDowntown.
