Community News

POPULATION INCREASES LEADING TO MAJOR PROJECTS

GROWTH FOLLOWS INFRASTRUCTURE, WRITES MICHELLE SEABORN

Michelle Seaborn is Grimsby's regional councillor.

Niagara Region has some major projects that are in the plans for Grimsby in the near future.

Several large undertakings are planned for the town of Grimsby starting in 2023, all related to growth. The Grimsby Water Treatment Plant expansion is a $52.5-million venture to support the expected population increase for West Niagara. The approved plan is scheduled for the design work in 2023 with construction being completed by 2027.

The Baker Road wastewater treatment plant expansion will see that capacity increased as well. It is expected to cost $66 million with work beginning in 2028. While not on the books currently, it is one of the water/wastewater projects that the region is looking to add to the 2023 capital budget.

Niagara Region is undertaking a conceptional design for Bal Harbour's pumping station electrical upgrades located at 29B Cheval Dr. in Grimsby. The project will install electrical cabinets and a small, quiet contained generator to service the station. The changes will promote health and safety to staff and will improve the reliability of the station's equipment in case of power failure or flooding due to wet weather. It is expected to be completed by 2024. Public notices have been sent out about the trunk main from Grimsby's water treatment plant to the new Parkridge reservoir.

This is one of the first steps with an environmental assessment to investigate alternative routes for the trunk main line. The trunk line will allow more efficient operation of water distribution and ensure capacity for future demand and growth.

The largest undertaking for 2023 is the Casablanca Boulevard road widening project that is currently out for tender with an expected start date of 2023. This is Phase 1 of a three-part reconstruction of Casablanca Boulevard that will start at Winston Road and end at the

South Service Road. The regional transportation planning department has worked in partnership with the public works and planning departments of the Town of Grimsby on this project.

There will be reminders to residents that there will be an interruption of traffic flows and routes during the construction period.

In the current capital budget, the region will be looking at road work on Livingston Avenue, extending it to the west for the future GO station. This will be during Phase 2 of the Casablanca Boulevard reconstruction. This reconstruction will be a perfect example of the region's plan to "promote safe, livable, walkable communities and provide a sustainable, multimodal road network."

There are other projects being considered in the 2023 capital budget. These include rehabbing Regional Road 81, Main Street from the new District School Board of Niagara high school through to Orchard Parkway. The region's multimodal plan with pedestrians and cyclists in mind would start after the expected completion of the new high school. Lastly, there is a section of the retaining wall on Mountain Street, Regional Road 12 that needs restoration.

OPINION

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2023-01-26T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-26T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281612424532760

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