Thanks to everyone who was able to join us on the corner of Greenfield and Montcalm last week for an update on the reconstruction project underway on Greenfield Avenue, Main Street, Hawthorne Avenue, and in surrounding areas. We received a fulsome report from Pat Sammon, Senior Engineer of Infrastructure Projects, and Bryden Denyes, Area Manager of Roads Services, about the status of the project, next steps, and winter maintenance. Staff also answered some pressing concerns from residents.
Project status
More than just a routine road reconstruction project, the GMH project includes the separation of a combined sewer system. Currently, sewers in this catchment – from Concord to Main – are combined, meaning storm and sanitary sewers share one pipe. This means that a high-volume snow melt or rainfall has the potential to overwhelm the system. Once this work begins, it must be completed within the calendar year, or the system risks being overwhelmed by snow melt or rainfall the following season.
Initially, city mapping systems indicated that the sewer lines in this area were new as of 1985. When excavation began, however, it became clear that the infrastructure was closer to 100 years old – leading to more work than initially expected. In addition, a good deal of the infrastructure was built using lead, which for health and safety purposes, must now be replaced right up to the property line.
As part of this project, crews are also required to install different pipes at various depths; stormwater sewers at 6 metres depth, sanitary sewers at 3.5m, water service at 2.5m, etc. In each case, the crew is required to dig, install the pipes, and backfill. This process can seem like the same work is being repeated, but it is routine for a renewal project like this one.
An updated project timeline estimates that the project will be completed in fall 2026.
Next steps
Over this past weekend, the water mains were finished on Main Street from Harvey to Greenfield with the exception of the Harvey intersection, which is the starting point for construction work next year. As of now, the water main is complete all the way up Greenfield, connecting just north of Concord. Patrick Sammons expects that service connections will begin this week on Montcalm, Greenfield, and Main.
As for the work remaining this season, there is a small stretch of water main and sewer which still needs to be installed on Concord between Greenfield and Montcalm. Staff shared that they expect that work to begin in a week or so.
As for lawn reinstatements, the timing for these will differ by area. For example, in areas like Main where hydro docks will be buried, it’s likely that lawn reinstatements will take place later next year, with some work trailing into 2026. For the work currently underway, staff expect the water main and sewers to be done between April and May, following a break over the winter season.
On Montcalm, wider sidewalks will be implemented to allow for tree retention. As a result, street parking on Montcalm will be flipped to the opposite side.
Winter shutdown for this project is expected to begin as of January. At that point, all roads will be covered with either permanent or temporary asphalt, as winter maintenance such as plowing and salting requires a hard surface. Sidewalks will be either newly poured concrete, existing concrete, or temporary asphalt. If asphalt was removed from driveways, it will be replaced with temporary or permanent asphalt, depending on whether the permanent sidewalks have been installed.
Any permanent sidewalks from this point on and into winter will have to remain closed for 21-28 days to allow for curing before any winter maintenance can take place.
Over the winter months, while work is paused, two-way traffic will be restored on Main from Colonel By to Greenfield and on Greenfield to King Edward. Over this period, materials and equipment will be moved out of the street and likely into Ballantyne Park. When work resumes in the spring, as early as April, it is likely that one-way traffic will resume on Main and Greenfield.
Next year, construction will move to Concord between Montcalm and Havelock. Main and Greenfield will also be treated together, and a fair amount of work is expected at the Harvey intersection, including sanitary and storm water sewers, as well as utilities. Staff expect the traffic impacts at that point to be fairly heavy.
Residents’ concerns
Staff also heard residents’ concerns with regards to the project. Our office will follow up to ensure quick action on these points going forward and until the project’s completion, including:
- Improved advanced notice of work to ensure that residents are well aware when driveways will be blocked and/or water turned off;
- Reissue of notice for blocked driveways, water outages, etc. when construction timelines go longer than initially communicated;
- Ensuring that both sidewalks on a given street are not blocked or closed concurrently;
- Clean-up of materials and garbage, especially on Echo between Main and Harvey;
- Concrete blocks put back at the bend of Concord and Echo, as well as other problem areas where drivers are becoming confused or driving illegally; and,
- Asking crews to use minimally disruptive techniques and equipment.
We have also heard some disturbing reports of abusive language from workers on-site towards woman living in the area. This is absolutely unacceptable and inappropriate; residents should never have their sense of safety compromised. We have asked that staff urgently take this message back to the contractors with the message that this behaviour cannot be tolerated. We have also asked that the contractor and city collaborate to take a proactive approach to preventing issues of harassment in the future.
Should you or someone you know experience an issue of harassment at any of the Greenfield-Main-Hawthorne sites, please email our office at [email protected] and we will help to see it resolved anonymously.
For any other issues pertaining to on-the-ground operations, residents are encouraged to contact the site inspector whose name and contact are indicated on the notice sheets provided during disruptions such as loss of driveway access.
Undoubtedly, construction work is difficult to live through. While projects like these are necessary, they are nonetheless uncomfortable and disruptive. We hope that this meeting helps set the tone for a respectful and collaborative conclusion project where your needs and interests as residents are heard and met.
If you have any further questions or concerns as they relate to this project, you may contact our office or the Project Manager, Pat Sammon, at [email protected].
