"City Tackles Roads, Water, Infrastructure Backlog" - Public Works Committee - May 4, 2026

The committee focused on major infrastructure and transportation files, including a plan to address aging water mains, an environmental assessment for Safari Road, a proposed roundabout at Highway 52 and Powerline Road, and the possible closure and sale of a road allowance in Dundas. Members also pressed staff on delays to rural broadband expansion and approved several funding and administrative items.

Topics Discussed

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND RATE STRATEGY: The committee reviewed the city’s water-main replacement program and the concentration of breaks in older parts of Hamilton. Councillor Maureen Wilson said her “rough math” suggested “almost 70% of the breaks are happening” in the former city across Wards 1 to 8, and asked how that reality is being reflected in the budget process. Staff said the city gets better value by replacing infrastructure before failures occur, stating: “We can spend money in our water wastewater stormwater systems proactively and get the best possible value … or we can spend it reactively. And when we're spending reactively on repairs, catastrophic failures, we do not get good value for our ratepayers and taxpayers.” Councillors also discussed coordinating underground pipe replacement with road reconstruction, with Wilson saying the city gets “the best value for projects when we marry full road reconstruction with replacement of the subsurface infrastructure at the same time.”

SAFARI ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (PW26028): The committee considered the municipal class environmental assessment for Safari Road, where staff recommended raising the road to address flooding. Hamilton Naturalists’ Club opposed the plan, saying, “We believe the integrity of this wetland should not be further compromised to provide a faster route when there are part parallel roads that can and have been used since the road has intermittently been closed for several years.” Staff acknowledged environmental impacts but said mitigation would be built into the project, including wildlife crossings and invasive-species removal. Councillor Jackson said it was “very, very unfortunate” that homeowners on Safari Road “did not have an opportunity to express their opinion to us today,” while staff said deferring the report would not affect whether additional consultation is included because “it’s a separate process.”

OVERFIELD ROAD ALLOWANCE (PW26037): The committee debated whether to close a road allowance in Dundas as a first step before deciding whether the land should be sold or retained. Residents urged the city to keep it as green space. Susanna Duff said selling it as a buildable lot “goes against every climate action strategy goal for Hamilton and the parks master plan,” and asked council to “retain this land as permanent green space.” Councillor Crutchen questioned the consultation record, noting that “two abuing property owners” were formally surveyed and “both are opposed,” and said that was too narrow a basis for a broader city decision. The item was deferred for more consultation.

RURAL BROADBAND EXPANSION (PW25068A): Councillors pressed staff on delays in the rural broadband program and whether 5G could be treated as an alternative to fibre service. One councillor asked directly: “Is it being suggested that possibly using 5G service as a substitute for home broadband is a solution?” and said rural residents are looking for the “economic benefits and quality of life benefits” of high-speed internet. The discussion centred on the gap between minimum service standards and the higher level of service residents expected when the program was announced.

HIGHWAY 52 AND POWERLINE ROAD SAFETY (PW26027): The committee reviewed the environmental assessment for a roundabout at Highway 52 and Powerline Road. Staff said the current problem is that drivers on Powerline Road must turn across “fast moving truck traffic on Highway 52 without any signals or protected turn,” and that the roundabout would remove that conflict because “everyone slows down and takes turns.” Staff also said the design was chosen “to stay as far from those natural features as possible,” adding: “No wetlands are disturbed, no woodlands are removed, and everything stays within the existing rightway.” Councillor Kasar said the proposal addressed the main concern around left-turn movements and urged staff to ensure “the pedestrian and cycling element is also done well.”

Motions

• Motion 10.1: Funding for accessible portable toilets in Wards 2, 5, 11 and 14 approved.
• 909 North Waterdown Drive Development (Item 10.3): Servicing exemptions and maintenance agreements approved.
• Overfield Road Allowance (PW26037): Deferred for further community consultation.
• Highway 52 and Powerline Road MCEA (PW26027): Approved.
• Safari Road Municipal Class EA (PW26028): Approved as amended.
• Broutton East Park Redevelopment: $250,000 for design work approved from the Ward 6 capital reinvestment reserve.
• Grindstone Creek Bridge 451: Additional $1,254,000 approved.
• Accessible Transportation Services Performance Report (PW22079K): Received.

Attendees

• Councillor Matt Francis
• Councillor Maureen Wilson
• Councillor Cameron Kroetsch Bey
• Councillor Crutcher
• Councillor Esther Pauls
• Councillor Brad Clark Cooper
• Councillor Tom Jackson
• Councillor Mike Spadafora
• Councillor Nrinder Nann
• Councillor John-Paul Danko Kasar
• Councillor Mark McMeken