‘Downtown Dig’ returns to Paris, Ont. on Wednesday

CTV’s Karis Mapp takes a look at how the “Downtown Dig” in Paris, Ont. will impact residents and the fire department.

A major reconstruction project will resume in Paris, Ont. on Wednesday.

The “Downtown Dig” is a multi-year undertaking that has disrupted traffic in the community’s downtown core as crucial infrastructure upgrades are completed and street improvements are made.

Starting on Wednesday, Grand River Street North will be closed from Mechanic Street to south of Charlotte Street, William Street will be closed from the bridge over the Grand River to west of Grand River Street North and the intersection of Grand River Street North and William Street will be closed.

“This year, we’re going to finish off things that we couldn’t finish in phase one,” Mark Eby, director of infrastructure and asset management for Brant County’s operations division, said. “There’s some hydro work that needs to be completed. Some of the street scaping, so the pavers and sidewalk and other things on the east side of the street need to all be completed.”

Crews will also be replacing water main sanitary sewers, storm sewers and traffic lights.

“It’s all going to be a brand new and revitalized downtown area for the next 50-plus years. This is a once in a 70 year type of project to replace all that underground infrastructure,” Eby explained.

Trucks will not be allowed in the downtown area and will need to use the Paris West Bypass instead.

Pedestrians can still stroll down the streets and visit local businesses, which will remain open during construction.

Drivers are asked to remove their vehicles from the construction area on Grand River Street North before 3 a.m. Wednesday.

Temporary changes to fire services

While the Downtown Dig closures are in place, there will be some changes to how the fire department responds to emergencies.

Coverage will be split into two areas: Paris North and Paris South. Emergency resources will be stationed on both sides of the construction zone to allow for timely responses. Two fire trucks will be temporarily relocated to the Paris Fairgrounds to make sure all areas of town are properly covered.

“We are committed to maintaining the highest level of emergency service for our residents,” said Brant County Fire Chief Darren Watson. “These operational changes ensure that, despite construction impacts, our teams can respond quickly and effectively whenever and wherever they are needed.”

The county said moving to a geographic-based deployment system also aligns with long-term plan for when Paris’ new north fire station opens in April 2027.

“Under normal circumstances, we just have one station in Paris. But, in the spring of 2027, we’re opening Paris North, which is under construction right now,” Brant County Fire Chief Darren Watson said. “So this aligns very well with future planning of having two separate stations of Paris. So during the construction project, we have firefighters that live and work in the North End responding to the North Station and we also have firefighters who live and work in the South responding to the South Station. So geographically, the two different stations are responding to emergencies in those respective areas.”

Watson also stressed the importance of watching for flashing green lights. The lights are used by volunteer firefighters who are rushing to respond to a call. Drivers are asked to pull over and let the emergency responders through.

2026 Downtown Paris Promenade

While Grand River Street North is closed between Mechanic Street and William Street, the County of Brant is setting up a temporary pedestrian-focused promenade they are calling “The 2026 Downtown Paris Promenade.”

Once work in the area has progressed far enough, the promenade will open to help promote local businesses who may be feeling the economic sting of ongoing construction. The county hopes to open the promenade by June.

“There might be some live music and other things going on, just to enhance the vibrancy of downtown as we finish the project,” Eby said.