en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Rymal Road widening project has reached a key milestone, with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) having been approved. The project involves improvements to approximately five kilometres of roadway between Upper James Street and Dartnall Road on the Hamilton Mountain.
The environmental assessment has now been completed and submitted, moving the project into the detailed design phase. The plans include widening the existing roadway by one lane in each direction, adding and improving cycling infrastructure, and upgrading stormwater management facilities.
The project aims to strengthen the transportation capacity of the east-west arterial road in the Hamilton Mountain area. This corridor serves as a critical link between the Airport Employment Growth District, the Red Hill Business Park, and beyond.
Dipankar Sharma, Director of Engineering Services and Acting Director of Engineering Services and Public Works, stated in an update report submitted to council that the Rymal Road project is a significant undertaking and will be one of the largest construction projects the city has seen in the coming years.
The current estimated cost of the project is approximately $107 million CAD, with $88 million allocated for road reconstruction and stormwater improvements, and $19 million for other underground infrastructure.
The next phase of work will involve developing detailed designs based on the preliminary design prepared in the environmental assessment. A scope of work is currently being developed for a detailed design consultant, with design work and preparation for construction tendering expected to be completed over the next two years.
According to Sharma's update document, once detailed design and construction tendering are complete, construction will proceed in phases over an estimated four-year period, given the project's size and complexity, as well as coordination requirements with other major projects such as the Stone Church watermain. Construction is currently planned to begin in 2028 and be completed in 2031, with staff exploring alternatives to accelerate this timeline.
