The City of Guelph has awarded the first phase of work on its Wyndham Street Reconstruction project to Steed and Evans Ltd. for $24 million.

The project was tendered to a list of pre-qualified contractors, and Steed and Evans Ltd. was selected as the lowest compliant bid.

“This is a major milestone for our downtown,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie. “We need to replace and improve the pipes underground and this tender gets us closer to that. Council knows that this is critical work. This project is a step in the right direction for improving our Downtown by making it more livable and accessible for our community.”

The scope of this phase of the work is the reconstruction of Wyndham Street, from Wellington Street East to Woolwich Street. The project will also include the reconstruction of St. George’s Square. During construction, the roads, sidewalks and cycling facilities will be upgraded and rebuilt, and the road surface will be replaced with updated and modernized streetscaping.

Phase 1 of the Wyndham Street Reconstruction project is the first detailed design and construction project in the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program, which aims to upgrade roads, sewers, and watermains, and improve sidewalks, cycling facilities, and the streetscape across the downtown core.

Steed and Evans Ltd., has already completed several major projects for the City of Guelph, including the Baker Street Reconstruction, the College Avenue Infrastructure Upgrades Phase 1, the Silvercreek Parkway Reconstruction Phase 1, and the Metcalfe Street Reconstruction Phase 2.

Construction work is scheduled to start on March 30.