College and Emmett Street Reconstruction

The Town of Pelham is proceeding with plans to reconstruct College Street and Emmett Street between Pelham Street and Station Street in Fonthill.
The design is to include the full urbanization of College and Emmett Street, complete with curbs and gutters, AODA-compliant sidewalks, new storm sewers, and the replacement of the existing sanitary sewers and water mains.
The project is expected to be tendered for construction in 2027.
 
The design shall consider improvements to the following intersections:
  • Emmet Street and Pelham Street
  • College Street and Pelham Street
 
This public information centre will focus on receiving feedback on the three (3) proposed cross sections the Town is considering for these streets to determine the preferred option based on the community's needs.
 
The engineering assignment involves detailed design, tender document preparation, and tendering assistance for the reconstruction of College Street and Emmett Street.

Project Timeline

Below is a breakdown of project phases.

  • Phase 1: Design and consultation 
    • Preliminary Public Information Centre - Held April 7, 2026
    • Public Information Centre - Late May or Early June, 2026
  • Phase 2: Project tender and construction. Tentative 2027.
  • Phase 3:
    • Stage 1 - underground work completion
    • Stage 2 - aboveground work, including landscape 

Options presented at Preliminary Public Information Centre

  Pros Cons
Option 1 One way adds on street parking. traffic can only flow one direction
removing asphalt swales, ditches and installing storm sewer for better drainage. opening parked doors into traffic.
by narrowing the asphalt width and adding parking, it will act as traffic calming  
provides more boulevard for snow storage  
opportunity to salvage healthy trees in boulevards  
Keeps traffic off College and Emmett   

View the one way plan drawings as a PDF

View an overview of the street with the one way plan as a PDF

  Pros Cons
Option 2: Two-way close to the same layout as the existing width - only removing 1 tree parked cars straddling curbs in boulevards on the north.
Semi-mountable curb on the north side still allows for parking where accessible  less snow storage area available
opportunity to salvage some healthy trees in boulevards  
removing asphalt swales, ditches and installing storm sewer for better drainage.  
by allowing parking on the north- it will act as natural traffic calming  

View the two way plan drawings as a PDF

View an overview of the street with the two way plan as a PDF

 

 Pros Cons

Option 3 

Two-way with on-street parking, trees removed

 widens the platform to include 2 lanes and a parking lane removal of all trees within the right-of-way
allows full ROW redesign and better drainage by regrading boulevards  
no concerns with tree roots or dying trees and damage liability  
removing asphalt swales, ditches and installing storm sewer for better drainage.  
on-street parking will provide traffic calming.  
  ability to plant new trees in preferred locations  
  provides more boulevard for snow storage  
  Cost-effective construction   

View the two way with on-street parking plan drawings as a PDF

View an overview of the street with the two way with on-street parking plan as a PDF

View the College and Emmett Street Reconstruction Plan

Project Updates

See below for all project related information.

The Project
The Town of Pelham is proceeding with plans to reconstruct College Street and Emmett Street between Pelham Street and Station Street in Fonthill. The design is to include the full urbanization of College and Emmett Street, complete with curbs and gutters, AODA-compliant sidewalks, new storm sewers, and the replacement of the existing sanitary sewers and water mains. The project is expected to be tendered for construction in 2027.
 
The design shall consider improvements to the following intersections:
  • Emmet Street and Pelham Street
  • College Street and Pelham Street
This PIC will focus on receiving feedback on the three (3) proposed cross sections the Town is considering for these streets to determine the preferred option based on the community's needs.
 
The engineering assignment involves detailed design, tender document preparation, and tendering assistance for the reconstruction of College Street and Emmett Street.
 
Public Information Centre
A Public Information Centre has been arranged to provide an opportunity for individuals, interest groups and agencies to review the proposed design. The Public Information Centre (PIC) will consist of an informal drop-in centre with drawings on display to present the project and provide the opportunity for comments. Representatives from the Town of Pelham and the engineering consultant, Kerry T. Howe Engineering Ltd, will be present to answer questions and discuss the construction.
The PIC will be held as follows:               

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm       

Location: Council Chambers, 20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill

Anyone with interest in the project is invited to attend and participate. Comments and information regarding this project are being collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of meeting environmental assessment requirements. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record and taken into consideration prior to finalizing the design and/or construction mitigation measures.

If you are unable to attend or, would like further information, please contact one of the following:

Mr. Nicholas Palomba

Senior Engineering Technologist

Town of Pelham

20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill ON L0S 1E0

Email:  npalomba@pelham.ca

 

Mr. Jeff Jaeger, P.Eng

Project Designer, President

Kerry T.Howe Engineering Ltd.

98 Church, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3C8

Email: jjaeger@ktheng.ca

Click here to view the original public notice news release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. There may be short periods when crews need to work directly in front of a driveway, but access is typically restored as soon as it’s safe to do so. If you have accessibility or mobility needs, arrangements can often be made. Please reach out to the project contact.  

The collection that is provided by the Region of Niagara will continue. If collection trucks can’t reach individual homes due to construction, a designated pickup point will be provided.

Work typically happens during daytime weekday hours beginning as early as 7:00 a.m., with occasional weekend work if needed (e.g., weather impacts, schedule constraints, or time-sensitive work).  

Noise, dust, and vibration are normal during road and underground work. Dust control measures (like water trucks) and noise controls are commonly used to reduce impacts where possible.  

Portions of the road may be temporarily closed during certain activities. Detours are typically marked with signage, and emergency access is maintained throughout the project. Residents are encouraged to watch for “local traffic only” signage and obey flag persons, as conditions can change daily.  

Generally, yes, however routes may shift. Sidewalks or shoulders may be closed at times, and safe alternate paths are typically provided with signage to guide people around the work zone.

There may be short, planned interruptions if utilities need to be relocated, protected, or upgraded. Advance notice is typically provided when possible; unplanned outages are uncommon but can happen.  

Some trees or landscaping may need to be removed or disturbed to accommodate sidewalks, utilities, drainage, or boulevard changes. Restoration (including sod/seed and tree replacement) is part of project completion and will take place based on seasonal best practises. 

Projects are often completed in phases (for example: underground work → road base/grading → curbs/sidewalks → paving/finishing). Please see the project timeline for additional information. 

Contact information for the project manager is found below: 

Nicholas Palomba

Senior Engineering Technologist

20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0
T. 905-980-6685

npalomba@pelham.ca 

Contact Project Manager

Nicholas Palomba

Senior Engineering Technologist

20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0
T. 905-980-6685

npalomba@pelham.ca 

 

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