Brampton council puts utility project on hold

Residents, businesses and commuters in and around downtown Brampton may have to deal with more water main breaks on Hurontario/Main St. over the next couple of years after Brampton council put a major utility upgrade project on hold.

The much-needed water main, sewer and other utility upgrades were part of the initial phase of the city’s Downtown Reimagined initiative, which was approved by the city’s previous council in 2017 and had been set to break ground in the spring.

Council voted in favour of pausing the project at its Dec. 12 regular meeting after director of capital works, Jayne Holmes, gave an update informing council of cost uncertainties and new estimates already far above what was originally approved.

Holmes added it could be a couple of years before the project can be rebooted, which raised some eyebrows on council. Wards 3 and 4 Coun. Jeff Bowman voiced concerns that postponing replacement of the aging water mains might cause more breaks, adding there have already been two along Steeles Ave. this year as the temperatures continue to drop.

Holmes told council that was a definite possibility and said city staff was already in discussions with the region to prepare for it.

“What it means is that especially because we’re asking (Peel Region) to pause on their infrastructure as well, then they know that means that they’re going to have to keep an eye on those water mains and perhaps do more repairs and infrastructure replacement over the next couple of years until we get everything sorted out,” she said.