Phase 2b of the Downtown Dig will begin on Thursday, June 5. Here’s what you need to know.
Construction Phases
• Phase 2b – starting June 5:
Work will take place on Grand River Street North, from Mechanic Street to the Nith River Bridge, starting Thursday, June 5 at 7:00 a.m.
o Vehicle access on Grand River Street North from the Nith River Bridge will be closed during this phase.
o Access to Broadway Street and Mechanic Street will remain open for local traffic, including access to businesses and parking lots.
o Timeline information for Phase 2b will be shared as it becomes available.
• Phase 2a:
Work on Grand River Street North between William Street and Mechanic Street began on May 5. This section will remain closed to vehicle traffic throughout the 2025 construction period.
Signage will be placed at key locations to assist with navigation.
Pedestrian routes will be maintained but may shift based on construction activity. Please watch for signage.
Timelines are subject to change. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.
Parking Notice
• Parking on Grand River Street North between William Street and the Nith River Bridge will be closed for the duration of Phase 2, with adjustments as work progresses.
• Parking Lot #3, located south of the Cenotaph, will be closed to the public and used as a staging area for the contractor for the 2025 construction season.
• Parking will also experience minimal impacts on Mechanic Street during Phase 2b.
Detour Routes
To minimize disruptions and maintain business access, detour routes have been planned:
• For southwest Paris and Highway 403 access from north Paris
Use the West Paris Bypass Route (highlighted in green on the detour map):
Silver Street → Keg Lane → Brant-Oxford Road → Puttown Road → King Edward Street
• For local and downtown traffic
Use the in-town detour route (highlighted in purple on the detour map):
King Edward Street → Dundas Street West/East → Willow Street → William Street
County staff will monitor detour routes throughout the construction period.
Traffic calming measures will be implemented at key locations to ensure the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Emergency and Protective Services have implemented plans to ensure adequate emergency service coverage in north Paris.
Stay Informed about the Dig & Support Local!
• Plan ahead for delays
• Continue to shop and support local businesses
• Follow The Downtown Dig on Facebook and Instagram
• Subscribe for updates at EngageBrant.ca/DowntownDig
• Visit brant.ca/DowntownDig for maps, resources, and updates
During construction we ask that you please use caution, follow detour signage, and stay connected for ongoing updates.
Thank you for your patience and support as we work together to build a better Downtown Paris.
Background on the Downtown Dig
In 2025, major reconstruction began in downtown Paris on Grand River Street North. This includes replacing critical infrastructure, which will ensure the longevity of the thriving downtown for decades to come. The final result will be beautiful, functional and accessible for all.
Reconstruction includes NEW:
• Infrastructure (water, sewers) and upgraded utilities (gas, electrical etc.) under the roads • Road construction
• Sidewalks (widened)
• Streetscape such as lamp posts, benches, trees
• Accessibility features
• Digital features
• Climate resiliency
The Downtown Dig has been broken into the following Phases*:
Phase 1 – West River Street (started in 2024 and currently continuing)
Phase 2 – Grand River Street North (currently underway)
Phase 3 – Mechanic Street – proposed to begin in 2026
Phase 4 – Grand River Street South from the Nith River Bridge to Dumfries Street – proposed to begin in 2027
Phase 5 – Broadway Street from Mechanic to William Street, William Street from Grand River Street North to Broadway Street and Mechanic Street from Broadway Street to the Nith River – proposed to begin in 2028
*Information is proposed and subject to change.
Additional details:
• Navacon is the contractor for Phase 2 of the Downtown Dig project
• Aecon – contracted through Enbridge to complete the gas infrastructure replacement (which needed to take place prior to Navacon beginning their work) began in January and was expected to be completed early April. The completion of this work was delayed by 6 weeks – impacting the start date of the project.
• Grand River Street North is planned to reopen for vehicular traffic in the late 2025 for the holiday shopping season.
• Final touches to downtown for Phase 2 will take place in spring 2026 – including streetscaping etc.
• The County has hired a Downtown Construction Liaison to assist in updating/working with the BIA, County staff and the contractor (Navacon).
• The County is working with both the Downtown Paris BIA and the public to ensure that information on the project is communicated to both parties, while also supporting the BIA throughout the Dig in their initiatives to shop and support local.
• The County of Brant Economic Development Team is offering support for property improvements through the Community Improvement Plan (CIP), as well as collaborating with the Brantford-Brant Resource Centre and Enterprise Brant to provide support and resources for businesses.
We continue to remind the public that construction projects are inherently fluid, with many moving parts. Despite careful planning, unexpected challenges—such as weather delays, utility conflicts, or site conditions—can arise. We continue to ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we make downtown Paris better and more beautiful for years to come.
