MINTO – Town residents gathered at the Palmerston Arena bright and early to learn about a reconstruction plan for Main Street East and West on Oct. 30.
The town of Minto and the Minto Chamber of Commerce joined together to host a Big Dig business meeting.
The Palmerston construction project is set to begin in the summer of 2026 with the help of Fergus-based company Triton Engineering Services Limited.
The project spans from 400 meters west of Toronto Street to 140 meters east of Highway 23.
“It will involve the complete overhaul of the underground infrastructure, including water mains sanitary, and storm sewers with new service installations to property lines,” stated town officials.
In addition, the road surface will be “improved”, featuring upgraded roadway, cross-sections, sidewalks, driveway entrances and “enhanced” intersection layouts.
The business meeting was hosted to give residents and business owners an outlet to discuss their concerns with the project.
Triton senior project manager Jeremy Gibson and professional engineer director Chris Clark presented the project to all who attended.
There was an opportunity for questions and answers with the Triton officials and comment forms for guests to fill out.
“We are looking at signalizing William Street intersection as well in the downtown portion so hopefully it’ll alleviate some of the concerns that Palmerston has had over the years,” noted Gibson.
Caroline Paquet and Gordon Blyth looking at the many enlarged construction plans on display. Photo by Georgia York
Several different site activities have already taken place including:
- a topographic survey to locate edges of pavements, utilities, gardens, trees, fences, elevation change, etc.;
- drilling in the road for a geotechnical investigation to establish sub-surface soil conditions and excess soil management; and
- an Ontario Legal Surveyor has established the location of the municipal right-of-way property lines.
The timeline of the project is scheduled as follows:
- winter 2024/25 – completion of engineering design and issue for tendering;
- spring/summer 2025 – complete utility relocations, tree removals, temporary construction measures to facilitate construction in 2026/2027;
- fall 2025 – issue for public tendering and tender award;
- spring 2026 – proceed with phase one and three construction;
- fall 2026 – phase one and three construction completion;
- spring 2027 – proceed with phase two construction; and
- fall 2027 – phase two construction complete.
“We’re hoping to wrap up most of the construction in fall 2027, however there will be some work that will need to be performed in 2028,” noted Gibson. “Some of it may be just deficiencies, replacement of issues from the construction itself.”
The construction is set to be completed in three sections with 2.8km of Main Street reconstructed.
Concerns were voiced by several residents with their main concerns being traffic flow, parking spaces and roads being condensed instead of widened.
Mayor Dave Turton also attended the event and told the Advertiser to expect more Big Dig meetings in the future.
“Harriston We’re Diggin’ It” and “Clifford We’re Diggin’ It” were the two construction projects that Triton and the town of Minto have successfully completed and even won awards for, stated the town’s director of economics and community development Belinda Wick-Graham.
“Communication during this project is key; we’re two years out and we’re communicating with you now,” Wick-Graham told guests.
“[In] a lot of communities this doesn’t happen.”
For more information visit the town of Minto’s website at www.town.minto.on.ca.
