Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Brampton will receive more than $38 million for flood mitigation in downtown Brampton, moving the City one step closer to realizing its Riverwalk project.
This funding from the federal government comes following the successful review of the project under the terms and conditions of the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF).
“Brampton City Council is committed to unlocking the potential of downtown Brampton and being a Green City that is strong, resilient and sustainable,” said Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown.
“This is a much welcome announcement from the Government of Canada, as it will not only move us one step closer to realizing the transformational Riverwalk project, but will also revitalize our community and put Brampton on the map for its innovative and impactful solution to mitigating flood risk, generating development and creating jobs.”
Key elements of this project including widening a 600 metre concrete channel through downtown Brampton, replacing bridges and raising roadways. The current channel, built in 1952, will improved to increase Etobicoke Creek capacity levels, bridges in the project area will be replaced with larger span structures and higher roadways will prevent flooding into urban areas.
Federal funding will cover up to 40 per cent of the total eligible project costs.
In September 2020, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the Downtown Brampton Flood Protection Environment Assessment, which identified an engineering solution to reduce the existing flooding risk in the area and to help address the provincial planning restrictions currently in place.
A complementary open space plan for Riverwalk is also currently being developed. The Riverwalk Area Urban Design Master Plan is an open space master plan that will develop concepts for the aesthetic treatment of the flood infrastructure, the open space system along the valley, integration of active transportation network, environment and economic sustainability, public health issues and programming, and implementation of the overall vision for Riverwalk.
Downtown Brampton lies within the Etobicoke Creek floodplain. Provincial policies around hazard management have so far restricted the type and amount of development that can occur there today. Riverwalk is a two-part solution to removing the flood risks and creating a new, open urban space that will help revitalize Brampton’s downtown and make it healthy, sustainable and resilient.
With the removal of the existing flood risk and the future removal of restrictions on planning and development in downtown Brampton, the Riverwalk envisions a remade Etobicoke Creek through the area, surrounded by public spaces and parks connected by the Etobicoke Creek valley corridor and a trail system. It is expected to unlock 3.6 million square feet of residential, commercial and retail space in the downtown, creating more than 23,000 jobs and a $1.4 billion impact on the GDP.
For more information on Riverwalk visit www.brampton.ca/riverwalk
“Flood risk has been a barrier to development and growth in Brampton for decades, which when addressed through the City’s flood protection project, will enable the city to move forward by building Riverwalk and creating spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come,” said Paul Vicente, chair, public works and engineering.
Upgrades is expected to generate urban growth and development and attract new investment.
“This important project will improve the resilience of 3,665 people across 31 hectares exposed to flooding in the downtown core,” said Catherine McKenna, minister of infrastructure and communities.