Engagement opportunities are open!

Check out the Engagement Opportunities section below for more information or complete our online activities

• Macdonell Bridge and Allan's Structures: A survey is available online to share your feedback from December 9 through January 12 about bridges and water structures in and over the Speed River at Macdonell
• Planning for Construction: Find our team at the monthly Construction Cafe to talk 1 on 1 about the project

Downtown Guelph is the heart of our city. It’s a place where residents and visitors come to live, work, play, and love. We’re going to make it even better and breathe new life to our Downtown.

We have a vibrant and thriving Downtown, and we want it to stay that way for years to come. We also have aging water and sewer pipes, roads and sidewalks that must be replaced; some of the underground pipes are over 100 years old! We’re replacing our aging infrastructure and upgrading utility services, and, before we put the roads back together, we’ll also have an opportunity to modernize the streetscape.

Improving this important Downtown infrastructure will allow us to provide better community-driven service and help support the economic vitality of our vibrant Downtown core.

However, work like this takes time. It takes years to research, engage with the community, create a dependable plan, and replace the infrastructure. This necessary renewal work will ultimately improve our Downtown for all businesses, residents, and visitors. Let’s work together to create a place for everyone in Downtown Guelph.

The Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program project is one of many exciting projects under the overarching Downtown Renewal efforts. The overall Downtown Renewal program will transform and revitalize how Downtown looks, feels and functions while still preserving its unique cultural heritage, which will make it future-ready to continue supporting growth to 2051 and beyond.

Planning phase

Planning for Downtown Infrastructure Renewal began in the spring of 2021. During the planning phase, we’re looking at the existing infrastructure and the future needs of Downtown Guelph to determine what needs updating..

As part of the planning work, we initiated two Municipal Class Environment Assessments (EAs). Environmental assessments involve collaborating with the community to support the planning and decision-making for large-scale projects. These EAs looked at various options for traffic flow, pedestrian areas and public spaces in Downtown streets, and the bridge and dam structures along Macdonell.

• The Wyndham Street EA examined the function of the road for all users including the number of traffic lanes and available active transportation infrastructure.
• The Macdonell and Allan Dam structures EA across the Speed River is being completed to confirm required improvements and the preferred solution for each.

In February 2024, City Council approved the Wyndham Street North cross-section and St. George’s Square reconstruction, which came from the original Wyndham EA. The Macdonell and Allan Dam structures EA will be brought to Council for consideration in early 2025, as this work is still being completed.

We have started to work on the final design of the first phase of construction for Downtown Infrastructure Renewal and will finalize that design in 2025. Construction will start in 2026.

The overall design and construction process for this infrastructure renewal is likely to last over the next few decades.

Project study area

Engagement opportunities

Macdonell Bridge and Allan's Structures

We've been studying the various options for four structures that cross the Speed River at Macdonell to weigh options for different levels of service and structural maintenance:

• The Macdonell Bridge,
• The Allan's Dam Bridge,
• The Allan's Dam Spillway and Sluiceway, and
• The proposed Ward To Downtown active transportation bridge

From December 9 through to January 12, were sharing the recommended solutions that arose from the study and seeking your feedback about the best ways to move forward with each of the structures.

Review all of the options and information on a dedicated project page and share your feedback in our online survey.

Join us for a Construction Café

On the third Thursday of every month, or project team will be at a different downtown café to meet with downtown businesses, hear your questions and share information. Drop in to have a chat in the morning. Coffee's on us!
Check out the 'More Information' section below to find out where and when to find us this month!

More engagement dates and announcements coming soon!

• Early in 2025, We'll be back to talk even more about designs, designs, and more designs
  • St George's Square design options: We'll be seeking feedback on two design options under consideration for the Square.
    • Online January 20 to Feb 19
    • In person February 12, drop in between 6 and 8 p.m. at City Hall (1 Carden St.)
  • Wyndham Street N. preliminary design: Based on the earlier work done to determine the travel lanes and pedestrian areas for Wyndham North, we'll share a design that is 60% detailed to show specific elements such as pedestrian crossings, parking and patio spaces. Before we go any further with the design, we want to hear from you to make sure downtown's main street will make us proud for generations to come. This deign will be presented along with the proposed final design for St. George's Square for comment.
    • Online March 25 to April 23
    • In person March 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall (1 Carden St.)

Past Engagement and how the project has progressed

St. George's Square design: Our team is working on design options for St. George's square informed by ideas comments shared throughout 2024 at our community pop up events, Open Houses and the online design lab. Feel free to review feedback received online. We will be back in the new year to share Design options for your feedback.

A summary of past engagement activities and what we heard from 2022 until our most recent phase of engagement can be found in the “Documents” panel on the right-hand side of this page, including:

• Fall 2024 engagement summary
• Spring 2024 engagement summary
• Fall 2023 engagement summary
• Summer 2023 engagement summary
• Fall 2022 engagement summary
• Summer 2022 engagement summary

How to reach us:

We're always here to answer your questions. Please reach out any time at mydowntown@guelph.ca. We'll get back to you within a few business days.

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