Downtown Reimagined Project Update – October 16, 2026

Downtown Grimsby is taking shape, one step at a time!

As work continues, crews are making progress on underground infrastructure while we keep downtown accessible for the people, businesses and experiences that make it special.

Watermain work on Main Street West is complete, apart from the final connections. Crews have also completed the remaining trench restoration on Elm Street. Overnight work at the Elm Street and Mountain Street intersection is now complete, with the watermain installation extending nearly one-third of the way between Elm Street and Main Street.

Next, crews will focus on Mountain Street between Elm Street and Main Street. Starting Monday, October 19, this section will be fully closed to through traffic for approximately four to six weeks. Detours will be in place, and while parking lots will not be accessible from Mountain Street, sidewalk access to businesses will be maintained throughout construction. Businesses will remain open throughout the closure.

And there's plenty to look forward to downtown! Join us this Saturday, October 17, for the Moonlight Market & Movie at Coronation Park from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

THE 60-SECOND RUN DOWN: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 19

Full Closure: Mountain Street (Elm Street to Main Street)

Starting Monday, October 19, for approximately four to six weeks

Both crews will focus on watermain installation along Mountain Street between Elm Street and Main Street.
This section of Mountain Street will be fully closed to through traffic.
Cars must follow the designated detour shown on the local traffic plan.
Heavy trucks travelling between Mountain Road and the QEW must follow the regional truck detour plan.
Downtown parking lots remain accessible.

What to Expect: Hydro-Vac Excavation

Some of the work that will shape downtown's future happens underground. When crews need to work around existing utilities, a hydro-vac truck helps them dig more carefully.

Pressurized water loosens the soil, and a vacuum removes it so crews can expose underground utilities without damaging them.
Some sections will also be excavated by hand.
This method is slower than standard excavation, which is why this phase is expected to take four to six weeks.
See the full construction plan below.

Click here for the full plan

Taking this time to work carefully around existing infrastructure is an important part of moving the project forward without interrupting the services the community relies on.

Detour Plan for Cars

Driving downtown? The local traffic plan shows the Mountain Street closure and the designated car detour around the work area. Follow the purple route shown on the map and posted detour signage.

Click here for the full detour plan for cars

Detour Plan for Heavy Trucks

For heavy trucks travelling between Mountain Road and the QEW, use the designated regional truck detour routes shown in the map.

Hamilton: Red Hill Valley Parkway and Mud Street West.
Grimsby: Mountain Road and Mud Street East/West.
Vineland: Victoria Avenue and Fly Road.

Refer to the map for the appropriate route for your direction of travel.

Click here for the full detour plan for heavy trucks

Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time and follow posted signage while crews complete this next phase of the Downtown Reimagined project.

Downtown Highlights

There's still plenty to enjoy downtown this fall! From seasonal events to community traditions, there's a reason to make downtown part of your plans.

🎃 Moonlight Market & Movie: Saturday, October 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Coronation Park.
👻 GrimsBOO! Halloween Event: returns to Downtown Grimsby on Saturday, October 24! Presented by Civiconnect, this free community event brings a day of Halloween fun to downtown, with activities running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
🎃 Grimsby Glows Pumpkin Parade: Sunday, November 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Coronation Park (accessible start at 4:45 p.m.). Presented by the Rotary Club of Grimsby in collaboration with the Town, enjoy a glowing display of more than 300 carved jack-o'-lanterns, seasonal photo stations and light refreshments to wrap up spooky season!
🎅 Santa Claus Parade: Saturday, December 5, at 5:15 p.m. This year's theme is "Christmas Night of Lights." Float, walking group and volunteer applications are now open at grimsby.ca/parade.

Whether you're attending an event or visiting your favourite local business, we encourage you to keep exploring downtown and supporting the community that makes it special.

A LOOK BACK

Week of October 12 Construction Recap

This week, crews reached several milestones across the Downtown Reimagined project area.

On Main Street West, watermain work is complete, apart from final connections. On Elm Street, crews finished the remaining trench restoration.

At the Elm Street and Mountain Street intersection, the night crew completed its work and advanced the watermain nearly a third of the way through the section between Elm Street and Main Street.

Crews also cleared the Lions Pool parking lot on Friday, despite delays caused by a highway backup on Thursday, to prepare for this Saturday's Moonlight Market & Movie.

Each milestone brings the project forward while local businesses and community events continue to make downtown a place to gather and explore.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE

We recognize that construction brings temporary changes to daily routines. Our goal is to provide clear, timely information to help make construction as predictable and manageable as possible.

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

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Questions?

Email DTreimagined@grimsby.ca