Mountain Street in downtown Grimsby will be fully closed to through traffic beginning Monday, Oct. 19, as crews shift the Downtown Reimagined project into its next phase of watermain installation.

The closure, which runs between Elm Street and Main Street, is expected to last approximately four to six weeks, the Town of Grimsby said in its weekly Downtown Reimagined dispatch.

Workers will use hydro-vac and hand excavation to carefully navigate existing underground utilities along the stretch. Because those methods are slower than standard digging, the town is warning residents the phase will take longer to complete.

Milestones reached across the project area

The closure comes as construction reaches several milestones downtown. Watermain installation on Main Street West is now complete, with only final connections remaining.

On Elm Street, crews have finished the remaining trench restoration. Overnight work at the Elm Street and Mountain Street intersection is also done, with the watermain now extending roughly one-third of the way along Mountain Street between Elm and Main.

Beginning Monday, both construction crews will focus their efforts on the Mountain Street section.

What drivers and shoppers need to know

Motorists are being directed to follow posted detour signage. Heavy trucks travelling between Mountain Road and the QEW must use the regional truck detour plan.

Downtown parking lots will stay open and reachable through alternate routes, though not from Mountain Street. Sidewalk access will be maintained, and businesses throughout the construction zone remain open.

The town is encouraging residents to keep shopping and dining downtown throughout the work, and directs anyone with questions to email DTreimagined@grimsby.ca. Full construction and detour plans are posted at letstalkgrimsby.ca/dr-construction, where residents can also follow the project for email updates.

Advance polls and fall events continue

The road closure arrives during a busy stretch for the town, with a final advance poll set for Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Major Refrigeration Peach King Centre. Municipal election day is Monday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with voters assigned to poll locations based on their ward.

Online voting opened Oct. 5 for residents who received a voter information letter. Anyone who did not receive a letter was asked to contact the town.

Fall events are also on the calendar downtown. The Moonlight Market & Movie runs Saturday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Coronation Park, followed by the free GrimsBOO! Halloween event on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Looking further ahead, the Grimsby Glows Pumpkin Parade takes place Nov. 1, and applications are now open for the Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 5.