The Municipality is pleased to share updates on the Walton Street Reconstruction Project. The bidding process for the project’s second phase concluded on January 31, and we are delighted to announce that Clearway Construction has been awarded the contract.
“We are thrilled to move forward with the next phase of the Walton Street Reconstruction Project, a key initiative aimed at enhancing our community’s infrastructure and livability,” notes Mayor Olena Hankivsky. “The successful awarding of the contract, within our allocated budget, marks a significant milestone in our commitment to transparent and effective planning and development. We are committed to sharing comprehensive details about the project’s progress and what to expect in the coming months.”
Phase 2 of the project will focus on replacing all buried infrastructure and reconstructing Walton Street between Queen Street and Cavan Street. The approved budget for the second phase of the Walton Street Reconstruction Project is $6,409,000. The bid awarded falls within the budget allotted for this project. Staff are currently collaborating with Clearway Construction to finalize the construction schedule and will provide timeline details in the near future.
To keep the public informed and involved, a Public Information Session is being planned for late March or early April. This session will offer detailed insights into the construction process. Information on this session will be shared through the Municipality’s communication channels. Additionally, staff plan to provide ongoing updates about the construction progress, schedules, and specifics, tailored for our residents, visitors, and the downtown business community throughout the project’s duration.
Previously, the project’s second phase was intended to cover the segment from Pine Street to Mill Street. However, in November 2023, when the project was first put to bid, only one compliant bid was received, and it significantly exceeded our budget. To effectively manage construction and costs, Council approved the cancellation of the original bid and introduced a third phase to be executed over two years.
The current focus to replace the underground infrastructure for 2024 is the stretch from just east of Queen Street to Cavan Street. For 2025, the Municipality plans to allocate resources for the third phase, which will address the remaining segment from Cavan Street to Pine Street. Additionally, the remaining segment Walton Street spanning Queen Street to Mill Street will undergo a different treatment, limited to milling and re- paving the asphalt surface, as part of the 2025 project.
Background
The Walton Street Reconstruction project represents a critical upgrade to Port Hope’s main street, focusing on repairing outdated infrastructure and enhancing accessibility. It tackles crucial enhancements to old water mains, sanitary sewers, and expanding capacity for storm sewers that have become inadequate over time. Although replacing these underground systems presents challenges, it also offers a chance to rebuild the roadway and beautify the streetscape.
Most of the work for Phase 1 of the Walton Street Reconstruction was successfully completed in 2022. This initial phase encompassed the section of Walton Street stretching from Pine Street to Church Street.
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