Lengthy revitalization project begins in Brantford’s downtown core

The City of Brantford is getting some major infrastructure upgrades but the work will take years. CTV’s Karis Mapp has more.

An extensive construction project is underway in downtown Brantford.

Phase one of the city’s $50 million revitalization project will continue until September 2026 to upgrade aging infrastructure.

“So that’s improving all of the infrastructure being wastewater, stormwater, water main and roadway infrastructure,” explained Jennifer Elliott, the city’s manager of engineering services.

This phase focuses on Brant Avenue between Dalhousie and Colborne streets, as well as Icomm Drive down to Clarence Street South.

“What we’re looking to do is install the outlets to the system for the storm sewer, and then for the sanitary system,” said Brantford’s construction manager Christian Bean.

Phase two of the project will extend from 2027 through to 2029.

“We have infrastructure that was built in the 1960s. There’s some infrastructure on Icomm Drive that was built in the early 1900s,” added Bean. “A lot of those assets need to be replaced.”

In the meantime, a series of detours have been established to help drivers navigate the area.

Upgrades will also be made above ground in hopes of making downtown Brantford a desirable destination for residents and tourists.

“We’re going to have more trees, we’re going to have proper drainage for those trees to make them sustain. We’re going to have new streetlights,” said Elliott.

“Come on down to the new downtown.”

In the meantime, businesses in the downtown core will remain open.