Grindstone Creek bridge repair update
The major construction project remains on schedule, with much of the current work happening below street level.
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UPDATE MAY 29, 2026: PYLONS REMOVED FROM DUNDAS AT AVONSYDE
The lane closure on Dundas St has been adjusted to increase traffic flow
Dundas St, east of Avonsyde, has experience significant congestion, particularly in the evening rush hour, due to the temporary closure on Skinner Road.
Pylons used to reduce the lanes at Avonsyde was a traffic control element of the Grindstone Creek Bridge project, used to funnel traffic onto Avonsyde and away from the construction area. Therefore, the pylons and their deployment were in the control of bridge project managers, and not the City’s transportation department.
The Ward 15 office registered the increasingly untenable traffic situation with the bridge project managers and alongside the collective advocacy of concerned community members, the project mangers finally agreed to change their protocol. This is a helpful and welcome modification, given the volume of infrastructure projects impacting Waterdown at the moment.
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UPDATE MAY 28, 2026: NEW BRIDGE CLOSURE DETAILS JUNE 2 - JUNE 5
The City of Hamilton’s Engineering Services and CP Rail have been able refine the crane operating windows for Grindstone Creek Bridge project. As a result, the bridge will remain open on June 1. Further, between June 2 and June 5, the bridge will only be closed between 6am to 5pm daily reopening to regular traffic and pedestrians at the end of each workday.
Hamilton Fire Department is aware of the closure and will utilize an interim response protocol during the June 2-5 window. Specifically, a full-time 24/7 Fire Engine will deploy out of the Waterdown Station, while a Ladder Truck will be temporarily deployed into the community, east of the Grindstone Creek Bridge, during the hours in which the bridge is closed. Each day, when the bridge reopens to regular traffic after 5pm, response protocols will revert to current practice.
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UPDATE MAY 21, 2026: FULL BRIDGE CLOSURE JUNE 1 - JUNE 5
The City of Hamilton’s contractor, KAPP Infrastructure will fully close Grindstone Creek bridge June 1 at 7am though June 5 at 5pm. KAPP will be installing two, large cranes needed to lift steel girders into place. During the full closure, Dundas Street East will be closed to all pedestrians and vehicles between Mill St. and First St. During that time:
There will be no vehicle or pedestrian access between Reynold Street and Mill Street
Local access will be maintained to homes on Reynold Street, to Waterdown Manor, and to the businesses located at 327 and 331 Dundas St E.
EMS / Police / Fire services are aware and have made arrangements to ensure coverage.
Once the closure is complete, the bridge traffic will revert to current traffic control conditions:
Eastbound Traffic only through the construction zone from 2am - 2pm
Westbound Traffic only through the construction zone from 2pm - 2am
The north side of the bridge will reopened to pedestrian traffic
For the duration of the project, the City of Hamilton on-site inspector, Paul Schollenberg is available to explain the sequence of work and answer any construction-related questions. Paul can be reached at Paul.Schollenberg@hamilton.ca. The Project Manager, Cory Peters can be reach via Cory.Peters@hamilton.ca. The City of Hamilton Construction Section can be reached at 905-546-4313 or constructionservices@hamilton.ca
The Grindstone Creek Bridge project website can be found here
Click here to access the City’s notice to residents regarding the temporary full closure from June 1 - 5.
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Original article published May 10, 2026:
The Grindstone Bridge reconstruction project on Dundas St. is progressing well and remains on schedule. The one-way, alternating traffic flow on the single lane of remaining bridge is anticipated to continue until fall 2026, as per the original timeline.
Much of the work to date has taken place under the bridge. Last fall, repair and reinforcement work took place on the single lane of the north side of the bridge, which was needed for safe and continuous traffic flow throughout the project duration. Once completed, utility bypass work was finalized, and demolition began on the two south lanes.
Photos show early preparation work, including the buttressing of the original north side of the bridge that remains in use, the relocation of the sanitary bypass pipe, removal of the existing sanitary sewer under bridge, placing track protection, and south side demolition. Note that the track protection timbers had to be removed and then put back in place every time a train had to pass through.
Once the south side was demolished, the preparation work for the new bridge began. Shown here is the installation of the new liners, as well as the pre-auguring and pile driving of the new foundation supports.
As of May 2026, the corrugated steel pipes were installed, piles were strengthened, and rebar has been installed. As previously mentioned, virtually all bridge work completed to date has taken place below street level. Phase 1 of the project remains on schedule and will be completed by fall 2026.
In fall 2026, two-way traffic will return, using two lanes on the newly constructed north side of the bridge. Further, pedestrians will have sidewalk across the bridge. During Phase 2, the single north lane will be demolished and rebuilt, Once completed, the new bridge will also include improved sidewalks and a multiuse path.
See artist's rendering below:
Further information, images, and updates can be found on the project website.
