Downtown Reimagined Project Update – September 11, 2026
Work continued along Main Street East this week, with crews advancing the new watermain and services past Kingsway Boulevard. Crews have also been navigating challenging underground conditions, including remnants of a buried rail line and concrete base that need to be removed before the new watermain can be installed.
An additional excavator and operator joined the crew Thursday night to help advance this work and keep construction moving toward Robinson Street.
Current Work
Night work has allowed crews to continue progressing along Main Street East while reducing impacts on daytime traffic, businesses and daily activity downtown. However, we recognize that overnight construction can be particularly disruptive for residents living closest to the work zone.
The Main Street and Elm Street intersection will remain closed during overnight work to safely accommodate construction equipment and truck traffic moving through the area. Main Street will continue to reopen to daytime traffic each morning.
We’ve also heard concerns from nearby residents about nighttime noise associated with the temporary storage of excavated soil at the Grimsby Lions Pool parking lot. To help reduce these impacts, the contractor will limit nighttime activity in the lot to the necessary dumping of soil. Rather than using the loader to move and consolidate soil throughout the night, it will be consolidated into one pile at the end of each shift.
The temporary stockpile will reduce available parking in the lot while this work is underway. Most, if not all, of the parking lot will be cleaned and reopened ahead of the Terry Fox Run on September 20.
Looking Ahead: Week of September 14
Night work on Main Street East resumes Monday, September 14, as crews continue working toward Robinson Street North. Continuing this work overnight will allow crews to maintain progress through this busy stretch while keeping Main Street available for daytime traffic and downtown activity.
The contractor anticipates it will take the full week to reach Robinson Street. Crews will begin setting up at approximately 8:00 p.m. each evening, with Main Street reopening by 6:00 a.m. the following morning.
Once this stretch is complete, crews will move to Rossmore Avenue, where daytime work is expected to resume.
Traffic Impacts
Main Street East, from Elm Street to Robinson Street North, will be closed nightly from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. No through traffic will be permitted overnight, but local traffic will continue to be accommodated.
A flag person will be available to help direct local vehicles through the work zone as construction progresses. A signed detour will also be in place each night for cars and trucks travelling through the area.
Drivers are encouraged to follow posted signage and allow additional time when travelling through downtown during overnight construction.
Emergency contact during the overnight closure: 905-658-8075.
Construction, Traffic and Detour Plans
Three updated plans are available for the week of September 14:
Updated Sequence of Construction: Shows the anticipated direction and sequence of Phase 1 construction as crews continue along Main Street East before moving to Rossmore Avenue and the remaining areas of work.
Traffic Plan: Shows the nightly closure on Main Street East from Elm Street to Robinson Street North, along with areas where local traffic will be accommodated during construction.
Detour Plan: Shows the signed overnight detour route for cars and trucks travelling around the Main Street East closure.
Drivers are encouraged to review the plans, follow posted signage and allow additional time when travelling through downtown during overnight construction.
View the updated construction plan, traffic plan and detour plan.
Project Schedule Update
Since construction began, crews have faced a combination of weather and underground challenges that have affected the project timeline. Extreme heat and smoke, heavy rainfall and storms have impacted working conditions, while crews have also encountered large rocks and boulders, existing utilities, sandy ground and, most recently, remnants of a buried rail line and concrete base.
As a result, Phase 1 is currently approximately one month behind the original schedule, with completion now anticipated by the end of November rather than the end of October.
Additional resources are being used where possible to help make up time and keep construction moving, including an additional excavator and operator brought in this week to advance the removal of the buried rail line and concrete base.
We’ll continue to provide updates as work progresses and share any changes to the construction schedule as they are confirmed.
Downtown Grimsby remains open and accessible throughout construction. The Construction Passport continues through September 30, the Grimsby Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday behind Town Hall through October 8, and the Terry Fox Run takes place September 20.
Learn more: www.letstalkgrimsby.ca/dr-construction
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Questions? Email DTreimagined@grimsby.ca.
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