The neighbourhood of Old East Village is getting a much needed upgrade.
Starting this year the city will undergo a two year project revitalizing the area. Many of the work will be done underground with new pipes, but there will be some improvements that people can see as well.
Jim Yanchula, Manager of Downtown Projects explains some of the work they will be doing.
“This is the first year of a two year project” says Yanchula.
“This year we’re working between English and Ontario streets, it’s time to renew the very old infrastructure, pull out the old pipes and replace them with modern new ones.”
Yanchula says that most of the projects they do is all underground work, as most pipes in the city are still over 100 years old, but he does say there will be new features above ground as well.
“On top where you can see, there will be new sidewalks, many street trees, new bike lanes, more parking areas, things like that.”
So just when does the city plan to start construction in Old East Village?
“Phase one is this years work and next years work” says Yanchula.
“Phase one for this year we’ll finish by the fall, we’re hoping it’ll be around November, really depends on weather and not encountering any surprises underground.”
Yanchula says that the construction will also be done in stages along the way to make it easier for traffic.
“We’re not closing off the entire road right at the beginning between English and Ontario, we’re going only from English to Rectory so there will still be some traffic that can go through Rectory, and still go eastbound on Dundas during the first stage.”
At the civic works committee meeting last week, the cost of the project was approved.
“The report to hire the contractor came in and the bid to higher the contractor was just over $12 million dollars for the two years of work.”
It looks like Old East Village will look a lot more brighter come 2021.
