Construction Update - January, 2024

• Phase 1 of the reconstruction of East Mill Street between Metcalfe Street and Melville Street is now complete.
• Reconstruction included the replacement of watermain and related water services to the property line, improvements to storm drainage, concrete curb and gutter, road granular, road base asphalt and pedestrian cross-over at Melville Street.
• As part of the East Mill Street reconstruction work the existing overhead utilities within the road allowance will be converted to underground from Metcalfe Street to Geddes Street.
• Phase 2 works will include converting existing overhead utilities to underground within the municipal right-of-way between Metcalfe Street and Geddes Street. The conversion started late in Phase 1 with the installation of heritage style decorative streetlighting and common trench and the installation of duct and cable to individual properties.
• As we enter Phase 2 of the reconstruction of East Mill Street, utility companies will coordinate “switchovers” from the existing services to the new underground services. The switchovers will be coordinated to minimize any potential service disruptions.
• We anticipate completion of Phase 2 utility conversion in late April 2024.

Construction Update - August 17, 2023

• The project has been progressing well, however due in part to the wet weather we have experienced this summer the project is approximately one month behind schedule. As such, the original schedule requiring that all underground works, including utilities, are to be completed to the granular road base by September 1, 2023, between Metcalfe Street and Geddes Street has been extended by approximately one month.
• The overall project completion date has not changed, and all works are to be completed (Phase 1) by December 15th, 2023.
• We will continue to provide regular updates on the construction progress of these works, and we appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

Construction Update - March 27, 2023

• The project is progressing on schedule.
• The contractor is working on the installation of water services between Metcalfe Street and Princess Street. Once completed, the contractor will begin watermain testing works, followed by watermain and water services final connections. Once the watermain is completed in the first two blocks, the contractor will work on storm and sanitary sewer installation.
• The current phase of construction (Phase 1) is scheduled to be completed by late Fall of this year.

Construction Update - March 27, 2023

• The Contractor J.G. Goetz Construction (Goetz) has indicated that they mobilize in the area sometime the week of April 3^rd. They will use the parking lot next to LaFontana for staging of their equipment.
• Construction will commence the week of April 10^th
• This timeframe is weather dependent and may be pushed back if cold and wet weather persists.
• Goetz will be starting construction in the block from Metcalfe Street to Geddes Street. They may mobilize a second work crew to work on the block from Melville Street to Princess Street at the same time.

The Project

The East Mill St. reconstruction is planned to encompass three blocks extending from Metcalfe St. to Melville St. as highlighted on the map below. This project is driven by the need to replace aging infrastructure in this area. The East Mill St. reconstruction also provides the opportunity to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the streetscape, improve pedestrian safety, traffic flow, and enhance access to the downtown Elora area.

The East Mill St. reconstruction is planned to be done in two phases to accommodate the full scope of the work. Phase 1 will be preceded by the replacement and upgrade of the below ground natural gas pipeline along East Mill St. between Metcalfe St. and Melville St. The gas line replacement work was completed in December 2022. The excavated areas have been patched with hot mix asphalt as a temporary condition over the winter.

The Township has tendered the East Mill St. Phase 1 reconstruction work which is anticipated to begin in spring 2023 pending Council approval. The Phase 1 work is planned to include new underground infrastructure for the watermain and sewers, utilities, road grading and base asphalt road paving, concrete curbs and gutters, decorative streetlights, concrete sidewalk along the north side of East Mill St. between Geddes St. to Melville St, the pedestrian crossing by the intersection of East Mill St. and Melville St. and temporary restoration. View the January 2023 Council report for additional details of the tender award recommendation.

Between the end of Phase 1 in December 2023 and the beginning of Phase 2 in 2024, the overhead utility lines are planned to be converted to run underground. Once the overhead lines are off of the existing hydro poles, the poles can then be removed so that the new concrete sidewalks and boulevards can be installed along East Mill St. between Metcalfe St. to Geddes St. during Phase 2 of the reconstruction.

The Phase 2 work in 2024 is planned to include the final streetscaping elements and temperature dependent items such as the plantings, street trees, landscaping restorations, finished concrete sidewalk between Metcalfe St. to Geddes St., the final asphalt surface paving and line painting along East Mill St.

The detailed streetscaping design is currently underway. Township staff will continue to consult with the Elora BIA during the development of the final landscape design for the Phase 2 work to be constructed in 2024.

During the Phase 1 and Phase 2 work, the active construction area will be fenced off for public safety and a vehicle detour will be implemented around the construction area on East Mill St. Pedestrian access will generally be maintained to the sidewalks except for periodic closures of sidewalk areas as needed during localized construction work when pedestrians will be directed to travel along alternative areas. See the map below showing the highlighted route that is planned for the vehicle detour during the reconstruction.

Anticipated Vehicle Detour Route

Project Description

East Mill Street is a Wellington County road, so this is a joint project between the Township of Centre Wellington and Wellington County. The Township of Centre Wellington is leading this project with input from all project stakeholders. The scope of work of this project is anticipated to include:

• Full replacement of the watermain as well as some storm sewer work and some small areas of minor sanitary sewer work
• Full replacement of the gas line along East Mill St. from Metcalfe to Melville (to be completed by the gas utility and their contractors).
• Improvements to the road geometry and alignment for traffic flow
• Adding traffic calming concrete curb bump outs at intersections to improve sight lines and pedestrian safety
• Creating a defined entrance and exit to the Elora Mart plaza on the north side of East Mill St. located between Metcalfe St. and Geddes St. and removing the hydro poles in this area
• Convert the overhead utility lines to be buried underground to open up the views along the first block of East Mill St. between Metcalfe St. to Geddes St.
• Road grading, asphalt paving, line painting, and new concrete curbs and gutters
• New concrete sidewalks and creating expanded pedestrian boulevard areas by removing some on street parking
• Adding new decorative historical style lamp posts along the first block of East Mill St. to match the lamp posts along West Mill St.
• Landscaping and streetscaping features to enhance the aesthetics of East Mill St.
• New pedestrian crossing at the intersection of East Mill St. and Melville St. to provide a safe path from Bissel Park on the south side of the road over to the Elora Centre for the Arts on the north side
• The Township and contractor will maintain public safety while also working with the Elora Business Improvement Area (BIA) and local residents to allow pedestrian access to stores and residences during construction, however there may be limited periodic interruptions to access when work is being done close to entrances
• The Township will work with the County to develop a vehicle detour route for the construction

Timing of the East Mill Street Project

• On December 20, 2021, as part of the 2022 Budget process, Council approved advancing the reconstruction of East Mill St. from 2024 to 2023
• Council approved funds for use in 2022 for public consultation and detailed design of the reconstruction project
• The gas utility completed the replacement and upgrade of the gas main on East Mill St. from Metcalfe St. to Melville St. in fall 2022
• The majority of the East Mill St. reconstruction is planned for the 2023 construction season, which is typically May to December
• The Phase 1 reconstruction tender closed in December 2022. The tender award report will be presented to Council for consideration in January 2023.
• Phase 2 for the Landscaping and final streetscaping is planned to include surface asphalt road paving, line painting, concrete sidewalks, final site restoration and plantings to be completed in 2024.

Project Design Development

The Township’s design team previously developed the initial preliminary study plan drawing (see below). Township staff and the project designers have consulted with project stakeholders to gather input from all parties and to get feedback on the preliminary study plan. The Township project team will be continuing with further developing the streetscaping detailed design drawings for the Phase 2 work in consultation with the Elora BIA and other project stakeholders.

Preliminary Study Plan Drawing

Updates will be posted to this webpage as the project progresses.