Shovels and equipment have been put aside for now, and the footprints in freshly poured sidewalks are but a memory, as the second phase of the digging and paving of Walton Street in Port Hope concluded earlier this week.
The municipality announced Monday (December 2) that the 2024 portion of the major reconstruction project in the municipality’s downtown has been completed, and the road is now open to vehicular traffic.
Workers had nearly finished the work a few weeks ago, but had to regroup after footprints on the freshly poured sidewalks on the south side of Walton Street surfaced over the weekend of November 16 and 17. Repair work — including the removal of some portions of sidewalk — along with the preparation, re-pouring, and curing had to be completed as a result.
The work was completed in time for Port Hope’s Candlelight Walk last Friday night (November 29) that launched Port Hope’s annual Candlelight Festival, which runs until January 2.
Municipality of Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky said it’s rewarding to have this portion of the project finished.
“Despite the last-minute setback of having members of the public walk on freshly poured sidewalk concrete, I am incredibly proud of our staff for leading us to the successful completion of phase two of Walton Street,” Hankivsky shared with kawarthaNOW.
“Few municipalities can boast about finishing a large, once-in-a-generation capital project such as this as being on time and on budget.”
Phase two of the Walton Street reconstruction work — a project the mayor considered crucial for the future of the historic downtown — officially kicked off on May 8. Enhancing pedestrian accessibility, improving road safety, and modernizing the downtown area’s infrastructure are key goals of the project.
“We are building more than just a road — we are building a better future for all who live and work here,” Hankivsky said in a media release issued during the construction kick-off event in May.
The municipality held a groundbreaking ceremony downtown, which brought together residents, business owners, and municipal officials to mark the formal start of the major infrastructure improvements.
While the work was underway, Port Hope encouraged people to continue to shop locally and support local businesses. The municipality waived the fees for two bus routes during the duration of construction.
Meanwhile, in other downtown news, Port Hope announced November 29 that its downtown “Heart of the Experience” project was selected for the “My Main Street Community Activator” initiative. The funding is geared towards making a lasting impact on the downtown.
“This support will allow the municipality to deliver events and enhancements to the downtown core,” Port Hope noted in a media release.
“Additionally, creative art installations and activations have been featured throughout the area in partnership with Critical Mass Art and other local organizations, inviting both resident and visitor engagement.”
Further activities will support main street businesses during and after the reconstruction, helping to attract residents and visitors to the area and contributing to the economic vitality of the community, the release noted.
My Main Street is built on the principle of supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods that will enhance the overall quality of life for residents, while also promoting sustainable and inclusive community development. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and supported by a Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
“A community’s resilience is anchored in its main street, and investing in them fosters economic prosperity and growth,” said Mary W. Rowe, president and CEO of CUI, in the release.
“Projects like Port Hope’s The Heart of the Experience, supported through My Main Street’s Community Activator initiative, use intentional and creative placemaking to revitalize their neighborhoods and public spaces. Our program’s investment provides an opportunity for local changemakers to build healthy, robust main street communities, and drive social cohesion and economic recovery where it’s needed most.”
My Main Street is a $15-million investment to foster the stabilization and revitalization of main streets across southern Ontario. According to the My Main Street website, the program offers streamlined direct-to-business supports and complementary programming for community projects that encourage growth and economic prosperity.
