Downtown road work and revitalization costs jump $6.5 million in Brampton: report

Bringing new traffic lights, power lines and upgraded roads to downtown Brampton will cost the city another $6.5 million due to increased construction costs, according to a new report.

An update on the city’s Downtown Revitalization Streetscape Project going to council this week shows the upgrades will require more funding to see the work through to the finish line of phase 1.

The streetscaping project got more than $16 million in funding from the city in 2021, and the report shows the increased price of materials, construction and design work have led to $6,515,000 an additional in costs.

Some $2.5 million of that comes from the increased price of granite materials, which the city says will be used “to enhance the durability, longevity and aesthetics of the downtown streetscape project,” the report reads.

“The project shift to granite will elevate the overall design and aesthetic of the downtown and will reduce the need for near future reconstruction in the area, thereby significantly minimizing impacts on residents and businesses,” the city said in the report.

Another $2.8 million is required for the construction of new traffic signals at six downtown intersections, and $700,000 for the replacement of streetlight powerlines. The update also includes $365,000 in design and constriction “contingency,” according to the report.

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While the streetlights themselves are in good condition, the city says overhead powerlines need to be replaced with underground utilities lines “as an upgrade within the boulevard as part of the new streetscape” – a move that will “minimize disruptions” to residents and businesses, and cut down on costs “by integrating the work into the existing project.”

City staff say the funding is enough to start work in the fall for the construction of the granite upgrades, streetlight power lines and detail design costs. The

The report and update on the Downtown Revitalization Streetscape Project will go to city council on Wednesday.

Downtown Brampton businesses have been dealing with construction and rolling closures due to ongoing watermain work, and the city is also looking to transform the Heritage Block “into a hub of activity” with arts and culture attractions, restaurants, more businesses and additional housing to meet the needs in the downtown.

The province has also announced plans to kickstart the Hurontario LRT project with an extension into Brampton just blocks from the Heritage Block demolition site.