Downtown Reimagined Project Update – September 11, 2026
Night work along Main Street East continued this week, with crews advancing the new watermain and services past Kingsway Boulevard. Crews have been working through difficult underground conditions, including remnants of a buried rail line and concrete base. An additional excavator and operator joined the crew Thursday night to help work through these conditions and keep construction moving toward Robinson Street.
The Main Street and Elm Street intersection will remain closed during overnight work to safely accommodate construction equipment and truck traffic. We’ve also heard concerns about nighttime noise, and the contractor is adjusting how the Grimsby Lions Pool parking lot stockpile is managed overnight to help reduce impacts on nearby residents.
Night work resumes Monday, September 14, with crews expected to spend the week working toward Robinson Street before moving to Rossmore Avenue, where daytime work is expected to resume.
These difficult underground conditions have taken additional time to work through and contributed to the project running approximately one month behind the original schedule. The contractor is using additional resources where possible to help make up time and keep work moving forward.
THE 60-SECOND RUN DOWN: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 14
Construction
- Night work on Main Street East, from Elm Street to Robinson Street North, resumes Monday night, September 14, helping crews continue through this busy stretch while reducing impacts during daytime hours.
- Crews will begin setting up at approximately 8:00 p.m., with Main Street reopening by 6:00 a.m. each morning.
- Crews expect to spend the full week working toward Robinson Street.
- Once this stretch is complete, crews will move to Rossmore Avenue, where daytime work is expected to resume.
- See construction plan graphic below.
Traffic Plan
- Main Street East, from Elm Street to Robinson Street North, will be closed nightly from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., reopening to daytime traffic each morning.
- No through traffic will be permitted overnight.
- Local traffic will be accommodated during the closure, with a flag person available to help direct local vehicles to their destination within the work zone as construction progresses.
- Emergency contact during the closure: 905-658-8075.
- See traffic plan graphic below.
Detour Plan
- A signed detour will be in place each night for cars and trucks travelling through the area.
- Drivers should follow the posted detour signs around the closure and allow additional time when travelling through downtown.
- See detour plan graphic below.
Downtown Highlights
- Terry Fox Run: September 20 – most, if not all, of the Lions Pool parking lot will be cleaned and reopened ahead of the run.
- Construction Passport: Continues through September 30.
- Grimsby Farmers’ Market: Every Thursday at the Major Refrigeration Peach King Centre behind Town Hall through October 8.
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 work 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.
WHY THE GRIMSBY LIONS POOL PARKING LOT IS BEING USED FOR SOIL STORAGE
Soil excavated during overnight work is temporarily being stored in the Grimsby Lions Pool parking lot because the sites that receive the surplus excavated material are not open overnight.
We’ve heard concerns from nearby residents about nighttime noise. To help reduce these impacts, the contractor will limit nighttime activity in the lot to the necessary dumping of excavated 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 night shift.
The temporary stockpiles will reduce available parking while this work is underway. Most, if not all, of the lot will be cleaned and reopened ahead of the Terry Fox Run on September 20.
A LOOK BACK: WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 7
Night work on Main Street East continued Tuesday through Friday, with crews advancing the new watermain and services past Kingsway Boulevard.
Crews continued working through the buried rail line and concrete base, with an additional excavator and operator brought in Thursday night to help speed up removal and keep work moving toward Robinson Street.
To safely accommodate the significant construction equipment and truck traffic moving through the Main and Elm street intersection overnight, it will remain closed during the night work during this stage.
While night work helps reduce impacts on daytime traffic, downtown businesses and daily routines, we recognize that it can be particularly disruptive for residents living closest to the work zone. We appreciate your patience as crews work to complete this stage as quickly as possible.
IN THE NEWS
Niagara This Week | September 4, 2026
Downtown Grimsby Reimagined project a month behind schedule
The article provides an update on Downtown Reimagined, including the revised construction timeline, progress to date and what residents and businesses can expect as work continues through the downtown.
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
Project News and Updates
Never miss an update! If you haven’t already subscribed to the project news page, simply select “Follow Project” on the right-hand side of the page.
Follow Downtown Reimagined
Visit www.letstalkgrimsby.ca/dr-construction and select “Follow Project” to receive updates directly in your inbox.
And be sure to follow our official Facebook and Instagram channels!
@downtownreimagined
Questions?
Email DTreimagined@grimsby.ca
Thank you for your contribution!
Help us reach out to more people in the community
Share this with family and friends