Downtown Paris Master Plan: The Downtown Dig

Where: William Street at Grand River Street North, Paris

When: Thursday, May 21, between 5:00 am - 9:00 pm

Note: Time duration is tentative and subject to change based on existing site and weather conditions

Why: Extended construction hours are required to complete the installation due to complex underground conditions encountered on site. Complex work will include, but not limited to, management of high sewage volume flow and rock excavation.

Details and What to Expect:

• Residents will experience construction noise from heavy equipment and construction activities during early morning and evening hours. Contractor will make every reasonable effort to minimize noise impacts while completing the work outside regular noise by-law hours.
• Additional time may be required due to unforeseen underground conditions encountered during the work. Should work extend beyond the anticipated hours, updated public notification will be provided.

Contractor: Navacon Construction Inc. for County of Brant

Stay informed

• Do you want updates sent directly to your inbox? Subscribe to this page by adding your email address to the 'Stay Informed' box on this page
• refer to municipal511.ca for the most up-to-date information regarding road construction and closures
• Visit brant.ca/DowntownDig for additional information including detour maps, upcoming events and promotions, and more
• Follow the Downtown Dig on Facebook and Instagram

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Construction in Downtown Paris continues. Thank you to everyone who has continued to show incredible community support to local businesses.

Impacted areas

• Grand River Street North (from south of Charlotte St to Mechanic St)
• William Street (from the east side of the bridge to west of the Grand River St N intersection)

Work Completed (April 30 – May 13)

• Rogers and Bell: Utility relocation at Grand River St N and William St intersection is complete
• Installation of temporary watermain on the east of William St bridge is complete
• Sanitary by-pass is complete
• Sanitary main installation on the west side of William St bridge has commenced
• Planter box adjustment on west side has commenced
• Streetlights are equipped with brackets for flower baskets
• See a birds-eye view of progress so far

Upcoming work

• Sanitary main installation on the west side of William St bridge continues
• Sanitary siphon and cleaning to commence
• Planter box adjustment on west side of Grand River St N continues
• Planter box installation on east side of Grand River St N to commence
• Hydro vault at Cobblestone Commons to commence

Downtown Paris Promenade

Once the section on Grand River St N (Mechanic St to William St) is complete, the new temporary Paris Promenade will be constructed this summer to ensure a vibrant, pedestrian experience while construction continues in the intersection.

This project is a “once in a lifetime” project with replacement of underground infrastructure like sanitary sewers, watermains, storm sewers, and utilities. It includes new streetscape, accessibility features, enhanced pedestrian areas and a redesigned street to calm traffic. This phase of downtown construction is expected to be completed in late summer/early fall 2026. We will keep you informed as timelines can shift with these large complex projects.

We know construction is messy, and the detours can be challenging. We truly appreciate your patience as we move this project forward as efficiently as possible. We will keep you informed every step of the way.

Stay informed

• Do you want updates sent directly to your inbox? Subscribe to this page by adding your email address to the 'Stay Informed' box on this page
• Visit brant.ca/DowntownDig for additional information including detour maps, upcoming events and promotions, and more
• Follow the Downtown Dig on Facebook and Instagram

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Construction in Downtown Paris is underway, with this phase expected to be completed in late summer to early fall 2026.

Impacted areas include:

• Grand River Street North (from south of Charlotte St to Mechanic St)
• William Street (from the east side of the bridge to west of the Grand River St N intersection)

Work Completed (April 15 – 29)

• Utility exploration began in the intersection of Grand River St N and William St
• Brick work has resumed on the west side
• Removals on east side of William St bridge began
• Hydro: tap boxes adjustment began

Upcoming work

• Rogers and Bell utility relocations at the Grand River St N and William St intersection
• Sanitary Main: sanitary by-pass to begin and will be followed by underground pipe installation starting at the west side of the William St bridge.
• Installation of temporary watermain east of William St bridge

Detours and Temporary Traffic Changes

Following a review, the left-turn restriction at the intersection of King Edward St and Dumfries St has been removed, and traffic has returned to its pre-detour configuration.

Detour routes continue to be actively monitored, and adjustments will be made as needed to improve traffic flow and safety.

Downtown Paris Promenade

Once the section on Grand River St N (Mechanic St to William St) is complete, the new temporary Paris Promenade will be constructed to ensure a vibrant, pedestrian experience while construction continues in the intersection. More details will be shared soon!

Downtown businesses are open and need your support!

Thank you for continuing to shop local and support your neighbours during this construction season. We know it’s messy, and the detours can be challenging, but we truly appreciate your patience as we work to move this project forward as efficiently as possible while keeping you informed every step of the way.

Stay informed

• Subscribe to EngageBrant.ca/DowntownDig to plan ahead and receive up-to-date project information directly to your inbox
• Visit brant.ca/DowntownDig for additional information including detour maps, upcoming events and promotions, and more
• Follow the Downtown Dig on Facebook and Instagram

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Construction for the 2026 season is officially underway. Work began on April 8, and this phase is expected to continue through late summer/early fall.

What’s happening now

• Road closures are in place and the construction zone is fully set up
• Asphalt removal is complete
• Storm main installation has begun

What’s next

• Sanitary main installation
• Temporary watermain installation near the William St bridge

Road Closures reminder

• Grand River St N (south of Charlotte St to Mechanic St)
• William St (bridge to west of Grand River St N)
• Grand River St N & William St intersection

Detour routes are being actively monitored, and adjustments will be made as needed to improve traffic flow and safety.

Recent roadway changes include

• New temporary 3-way stop at Emily St & Broadway St W
• Broadway St E is now one-way northbound
• Charlotte St is now one-way eastbound
• Emily St is now one-way westbound

Important reminders

• Local traffic only in key areas
• No through truck traffic (please use the Paris West Bypass)
• Pedestrian access is maintained

Once work between Mechanic St and William St is complete, construction of the new promenade will begin, helping create a more vibrant, pedestrian-friendly downtown! Stay tuned for updates coming soon!

Support Local

Our downtown businesses are open! Please continue to shop, dine, and explore local.

Stay informed

• Subscribe to EngageBrant.ca/DowntownDig to plan ahead and receive up-to-date project information
• For the latest detours, visit municipal511.ca
• Follow the Downtown Dig and the County of Brant on Facebook(External link) and Instagram

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

The County of Brant would like to inform residents of temporary operational changes to fire services in Paris to ensure continued response efficiency during the Downtown Dig construction project.

“We are committed to maintaining the highest level of emergency service for our residents,” said Fire Chief Darren Watson. “These operational changes ensure that, despite construction impacts, our teams can respond quickly and effectively whenever and wherever they are needed."

Effective Wednesday, April 8, 2026, adjustments will be implemented at Station 1 (Paris) to maintain service levels and support future planning for the Paris North Fire Station.

Key updates include:

• Geographic Response Zones
  Fire response coverage will be reorganized into two areas: Paris North and Paris South. This approach will help improve response times by positioning emergency resources on both sides of the downtown construction zone, where traffic disruptions and road restrictions are expected.
• Updated Response Model
  The current platoon response model will transition to a geographic-based deployment system. This change aligns with long-term planning and the anticipated opening of the Paris North Station in April 2027.
• Temporary Apparatus Relocation
  Two fire emergency vehicles will be temporarily relocated to the Paris Fairgrounds. This will allow emergency crews to better navigate around construction-related congestion in the downtown core.

County staff will continue to monitor these changes and make adjustments as needed to ensure reliable emergency response services.

We would also like to remind residents about green flashing lights. The County of Brant Fire Service is a dedicated volunteer fire service, and many of our firefighters respond to emergencies from their homes or workplaces. To help them reach their stations quickly, volunteers are equipped with green flashing lights for use in their personal vehicles.

“When you see a green flashing light, it indicates a firefighter is on their way to an emergency,” said Fire Chief Watson. “We encourage all residents to remain alert and safely pull over to allow these vehicles to pass. Your cooperation helps firefighters reach the station faster, because every second counts when responding to an emergency.”

For more information on the County of Brant Fire Services, visit brant.ca/fire.

Construction on the Downtown Dig will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, April 8, 2026 (weather permitting).

We are reminding the public of the following important information:

Road closures

• Grand River St N (south of Charlotte → Mechanic)
• William St (bridge → west of Grand River St N)
• Grand River St N and William St intersection

Detours and traffic changes

• Emily St & Broadway St W → temporary 3-way stop
• Broadway St E → one-way northbound
• Charlotte St → one-way eastbound
• Emily St → one-way westbound

Important notes

• Local traffic only in key areas
• No through truck traffic (use Paris West Bypass)
• Turning restrictions in place

Businesses remain open – support local

• Pedestrian access maintained

Stay informed

• Subscribe to EngageBrant.ca/DowntownDig to plan ahead and receive up-to-date project information
• brant.ca/Construction for more information and upcoming major construction projects
• Follow the Downtown Dig and the County of Brant on Facebook and Instagram

Thank you for your patience during this construction season.

As construction begins on Wednesday, April 8, crews will be onsite starting at approximately 3:00 am, with the work zone closed immediately.

Please remove vehicles from the construction area on Grand River Street North (south of Charlotte → Mechanic) prior to this time.

Thank you for your cooperation as work gets underway.

We know construction can be challenging, especially for our downtown businesses and the people who support them. But this work is a major investment in the future of downtown Paris, improving infrastructure, roads, and the overall experience for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Shop local. Support local.

Our local shops, restaurants, and services are the heart of our community and your support matters now more than ever.

Pedestrian access will be maintained
Clear signage and detours will be in place
Ongoing updates will be shared throughout the project

Every small choice makes a difference

Grab lunch downtown
Pick up a gift
Book a local service

Stay informed

• Subscribe to EngageBrant.ca/DowntownDig to plan ahead and receive up-to-date project information
• brant.ca/Construction for more information and upcoming major construction projects
• Follow the Downtown Dig and the County of Brant on Facebook and Instagram

For questions or concerns, email downtowndig@brant.ca or leave your questions directly for the project team on this page.

Thank you for your patience and for continuing to show up for our local business community during construction.

Please be advised that the Downtown Dig Drop-in Open House, originally scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the County of Brant Council Chambers, has been cancelled.

We will make an effort to reschedule this event in the future. Project information is available and shared through a variety of channels.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to residents and business owners. The County remains committed to the Downtown Dig project, which includes critical infrastructure upgrades.

Please note, the Downtown Dig construction is now scheduled to begin on April 8, 2026 (weather permitting).

Stay informed

• Project Updates: For the latest information on construction phases and detour maps, and to subscribe for project updates by adding your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe'.
• Follow the County of Brant and the Downtown Dig on Facebook and Instagram
• Inquire: Do you have questions? Email downtowndig@brant.ca or leave comments and questions for the project team on this page.

Thank you for your continued patience and support of our local downtown businesses.

Have you noticed the big changes in Downtown Paris? The Downtown Dig isn't just about new pipes and pavement; it's about making our historic core inclusive and easy to navigate for every resident and visitor!

Here are the key accessibility features being built into our new streetscape:

• Wider Sidewalks: We're creating significantly more room for pedestrians, allowing for smoother flow and easier navigation for those using mobility aids or strollers.
• New Rollover Curbs: These sloped curbs create a gradual, seamless transition between the sidewalk and the street. This prevents wheels from getting stuck and ensures a safer crossing for everyone.
• Level Access: Construction efforts are focusing on making the street flatter and matching the grade of the sidewalks to business entrances wherever possible. The County offers funding to assist downtown businesses to support accessible entrances.
• Accessible Parking and Loading: Look for newly designated accessible parking spaces in key areas and dedicated loading zones to make visiting your favourite shops even easier.
• Enhanced Safety: New streetlights and raised concrete crosswalks are being installed to improve visibility and pedestrian safety day and night.
• Safety for the Visually Impaired: Tactile plates, featuring raised domes, provide a "tactile" warning underfoot or via a cane, alerting pedestrians with vision loss that they are approaching a road crossing or a change in elevation.
• Accessible Pedestrian Signals: These standardized sounds help pedestrians with vision loss identify which direction has the right-of-way at the intersection of Grand River St N and William St.
• Colour Contrast: New brickwork and concrete finishes are chosen to provide visual distinction between pedestrian zones, seating areas, and vehicle lanes helping those with low visibility.
• Rest Areas: New benches and seating clusters are being installed along the widened sidewalks of Grand River Street North. Rest areas are designed to be set back from the main flow of traffic, ensuring that those using strollers or assistive devices have ample room to bypass. The addition of a new tree canopy and planter boxes will provide shaded rest spots, improving comfort during warmer months.

Thank you for your patience as we build a more vibrant, functional, and accessible Paris for the next 75 years!