Downtown Reimagined Project Update – July 3, 2026

This week marks a real turning point for the Downtown Reimagined project. After weeks of careful preparation — surveying, utility locates, layout work, and staging — the groundwork is set and the real work is beginning. What you’ll start to see above ground is only part of the story. Below Elm Street and beneath the Forty Mile Creek, crews are about to begin some of the most technically complex portions of the project: replacing aging watermain infrastructure using both open cut trenching and trenchless installation methods.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Ongoing Pre-Condition Surveys: participation is highly encouraged and booking is available as long as construction work hasn’t commenced in your area
July 2: Construction StoryWalk Launched
Week of July 6: Trenchless Watermain Installation Begins
Week of July 13: Open Cut Watermain & Site Set Up
July 13: Construction Passport Launch

A LOOK BACK

Staging Update - Week of June 22

Our team has been busy on the ground, laying the foundation for the construction that’s now starting. Here’s what was completed:

Layout has been completed on Elm Street for the upcoming watermain installations.
Underground utility locates have been completed on Elm Street, all underground utilities have been marked and confirmed, so our crews can dig safely.
Construction signage is now going up in and around the work zone, so you’ll start seeing more indicators of the project on-site.

July 2 - Construction StoryWalk Launch

This week, the Downtown Grimsby BIA, in collaboration with the Town of Grimsby and the Grimsby Chamber of Commerce, has launched a family-friendly Construction StoryWalk running through August 28, 2026.

Participants follow the pages of Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld, an internationally bestselling children's book about a hardworking crew of construction vehicles tackling a big job together, displayed in storefront windows at 15 participating downtown businesses.

It's free, it's fun, and it's a great reason to get outside and explore what downtown has to offer this summer.

StoryWalk Route – visit businesses in order:

Mrs Greenway, 31 Main St W
Farm Gate to Your Plate, 35 Main St W
Village Studio, 63 Main St W
Grimsby Music, 76 Main St W
Marsers & Associates, 76 Main St W
The Dutch Shop, 52 Main St W
Teddy's Sports Bar, 30 Main St W
Jordan's Flowers, 16 Main St W
The Forty, 10 Main St W
Nurish Kitchen, 7 Main St E
The Brick Shack, 15 Main St E
The Dog Spot, 43 Main St E
Activate Dance & Circus School, 36 Main St E Unit 4
Grimsby Benevolent Fund (GBF), 40 Elm St
Charlie's Barber Shop, 23 Main St W

A LOOK AHEAD

Ongoing Pre-Construction Surveys

Property owners along the construction route are encouraged to book a free pre-condition survey with dBA Services Inc., a third-party consultant retained by the contractor on behalf of the Town, as long as construction has not yet started in the property’s specific area.

A pre-condition survey is a photographic inspection of your property's existing condition before construction begins, providing a documented baseline should any questions arise after the work is completed.

To book, call or text (905) 383-9491, toll-free (833) 212-4858, or email pcs@dbaservices.ca. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participation is voluntary, but all eligible property owners are encouraged to take advantage of this free service.

For more information, visit DowntownGrimsby.com or follow @DowntownGrimsby on social media.

Week of July 6 - Trenchless Watermain Installation Begins

The contractor team, Alfred Beam Excavating Ltd., along with their subcontractor, NPL, will be mobilizing on site to begin the trenchless watermain installation under the Forty Mile Creek, using a drilling machine to create a tunnel and pull the new pipe through to the other side. No excavation of the creek bed is required through this process.

The pace of any additional open cut trenching depends on how much support the contractor needs as they get set up on site.

Traffic updates remain unchanged:

Construction takes place during daytime hours only.
Elm Street remains open to two-way traffic throughout the watermain installation.
Moving equipment may cause some intermittent disruptions to traffic flow.
No detour routes are required at this stage.

Week of July 13 - Open Cut Watermain & Site Set Up

The week of July 13 is when construction becomes most visible on Elm Street. Open cut watermain work begins between Gibson Street and Mountain Street.

At the same time, the contractor compound gets established at the corner of Main Street East and Elm, giving the project team a permanent on-site base for the duration of the work.

Construction Process

Crews will install new watermain and water services along Elm Street between Mountain Street and Gibson Street, starting near Gibson and working east toward Mountain. Here's what that process looks like:

A trench is excavated parallel to the road for installation of new PVC watermain pipe. Water service pipes are then installed perpendicular to the main, running to a new shutoff (curb stop) at each property line.
The new watermain will be connected on both sides to the pipe previously installed under the Forty Mile Creek.
As pipe is installed, trenches are backfilled and compacted in layers until level with the existing road surface.
Once installation is complete, the pipe is cleaned and bacteria-tested. After clean results are confirmed, the new watermain is connected to the existing system and services are transferred over.

Click here for the full plan

What to Expect

Mechanical compaction equipment is used to prevent ground settling. You may feel small vibrations through the ground during this work.
Trenches will initially be restored with stone at the surface. Full asphalt paving follows once all watermain and services are installed. Grassed areas are typically restored at the end of the project.
The new watermain will not be connected to the active drinking water system until it has been cleaned and tested.

Traffic

Construction will take place during daytime hours.
Elm Street will remain open to two-way traffic during watermain installation. During water service installations, the road may be temporarily narrowed to one lane with traffic control in place.
Moving equipment may cause intermittent disruptions to traffic flow.
No detour routes are required at this stage.

Click here for the full plan

July 13 - Construction Passport Launch

Downtown Grimsby, in partnership with the Town and the Chamber, is launching the Construction Passport, a new loyalty program running from July 13 to September 30, 2026 that rewards customers for shopping locally during construction.

Here's how it works:

Pick up a passport at any participating business.
Collect one stamp per visit with a qualifying purchase of $20 or more (before tax).
Fill 8 stamps from 8 different businesses and drop off your passport for a chance to win.
Prizes include a $1,000 grand prize, three $200 prizes, and four $25 prizes — all in gift cards to participating downtown businesses.
There is no limit on entries and you can submit as many completed passports as you like throughout the campaign.

More than 30 businesses are participating. Pick up your passport and turn everyday stops into chances to win.

For full details and terms, visit DowntownGrimsby.com or follow @DowntownGrimsby on Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

Canada WaterPortal | June 26, 2026

"Renewed water infrastructure at the heart of Grimsby's Downtown Reimagined project."

The article highlights Phase 1 and the $1.9 million in federal and provincial funding making this work possible.

Read the full article here.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Local | June 29, 2026

“Downtown Grimsby launches construction-themed storywalk”

The article covers the StoryWalk launch, featuring a family-friendly walking route running through participating downtown businesses this summer.

Read the full article here.

NEXT STEPS

We recognize that a project of this scale brings temporary changes to daily routines, and we remain committed to providing clear, timely communication throughout construction.

Our goal is to make this process as predictable and manageable as possible while delivering long-term improvements that will benefit residents, businesses, and visitors for generations to come.

Thank you for your continued patience, partnership, and support as we work together to reimagine downtown Grimsby.

STAY CONNECTED

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Questions?

Email DTreimagined@grimsby.ca