Construction Process in Peel: A Comprehensive Guide

The construction of Peel's sewers and roads and their ongoing maintenance requires a year-round commitment. To make the infrastructure better, the authorities of the Peel region have started a construction plan process to repair the roads, sewers and develop the overall region. After a lot of time and consideration, a plan was created that would not disturb citizen’s daily life and also take less time. Peel construction is vital to sustaining Peel’s sustainable infrastructure.

Understanding the Construction Plan Process

Before the construction services commences, a project must successfully complete five phases. Let us look at the construction phase plan one by one.

Note: Citizens must note that, on average, a contractor begins construction 2 to 3 weeks after acquiring the contract. Construction might last from months to years depending on what’s involved. Now, let us understand all the five phases of the construction plan process:

Phase 1 - The Environmental Assessment (EA)

An environmental assessment (EA) entails conducting a comprehensive study. EAs:

- Predict
- Identify
- Measure
- Reduce how a project might affect a specific region's people, plants and animals.
- EA’s are required by the Province of Ontario.
- EA’s make the Region accountable. EAs ensure the construction plan won't harm the environment and surrounding region.
- EA’s are a public process. This means people who live and work in Peel can inform the authorities how construction in a specific region might affect them.
- EA’s take (on average) 2 years to complete.

Phase 2: The Detail Design

During this phase, Peel Region:

- Designs vital structures like bridges, drainpipes or railway crossings.
- Works with conservation authorities, municipalities, agencies and utility companies like gas and hydro to plan the physical design of a project.
- Complete 60% of the physical (detailed) design before determining how much property to buy.

This can take up to 2 to 3 years to conclude, depending on how complex a project is.

Phase 3: Property Acquisition

It is the act of getting ownership/possession.

Property acquisition:

- Begins when they identify how much property is needed for the construction project.
- Can incorporate just part of a property/the entire property.
- Can take 2-3 years to finish.

Phase 4: Utility Relocation

Hydro, gas, phone and cable services in the construction region might be required to be moved to finish a project. If possible, utility relocation is done prior to construction. When a utility relocation occurs, relying on how fastly the region buys the land for the project.

Phase 5: Tender and Contract Award

A tender is a formal document which describes the necessities of a construction project. The region purchases goods and services via tenders. Contractors submit tenders for the work to be done. After assessing all the tenders, the region gives the job to the pre-qualified lowest bidder. Contracts are generally awarded within 6 to 8 weeks from the time the tender is posted.

Major Region of Peel Construction Projects

Let us have a look at the major construction projects of Peel:

- Mississauga’s Burnhamthorpe Water Project
- Brampton’s Dixie Area Water and Road Improvements
- Brampton and Caledon’s Dixie Road
- East to West Diversion Sanitary Trunk Sewer
- Highway 401 Expansion Project
- Brampton and Caledon’s Mayfield Road
- Brampton’s Mississauga Road
- Northeast Brampton
- Brampton’s Steeles Avenue
- Brampton’s Winston Churchill Boulevard

A Peek into the Non-Regional Construction Projects in Peel

Not all construction projects in Peel fall under the jurisdiction of the Region of Peel. Some are overseen by the cities of Brampton or Mississauga, the Town of Caledon, or the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Discover additional construction projects taking place in Peel that are not under the jurisdiction of the Region:

- City of Brampton
- Town of Caledon
- City of Mississauga
- Ministry of Transportation, focusing on bridges and highways
- Hurontario LRT (Hazel McCallion Line) managed by Metrolinx

Comprehending Environmental Assessments (EA)

Municipal infrastructure projects, including roads, water systems, and wastewater (sanitary sewer) projects, fall under the jurisdiction of a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA). Given that various municipal projects can have diverse environmental implications, EA's are categorised into three schedules - A, B, or C - depending on the extent of their impact on the environment.

Schedule A

Projects categorized under Schedule A typically involve routine or emergency operational and maintenance activities. Due to their minimal impact on the environment, Schedule A projects receive pre-approval.

Schedule B

Schedule B encompasses projects primarily focused on enhancements and minor expansions to existing facilities. As these activities hold a higher potential for environmental impact, the municipality is required to undergo a screening process and engage in discussions with affected stakeholders.

Schedule C

Broadly speaking, Schedule C includes projects involving the construction of new facilities and significant expansions to existing ones. These projects are subjected to a comprehensive 5-phased environmental assessment planning process.

Preparing for Watermain Construction: A Guide to What Lies Ahead

Watermain construction necessitates trench excavation, which can potentially impact driveways, yards, sidewalks, curbs, and roads. However, rest assured that these affected regions would be restored upon completion of the construction process.

To sustain citizen’s water supply, they’ll replace:

- The water main is situated below the sidewalk/road.
- The water service box - It is a little, round, metal shut-off valve situated outside. This is usually present between the home, road and the business on the property line. If one can’t find his/her water service box, he/she can call the authorities at 905-791-7800, ext. 4409.
- A portion of the water service pipe , it starts from the water main to one’s water service box. The water pipe collects water from the nearest water main to the business or home.

In case, the authorities plan the watermain construction for one’s street:

- He/she will get a letter for notification.
- Peel Region said that it is recommended to delay your paving of driveway or big landscaping projects. You should wait for the construction plan work to be finished.

A Look at the Disruption to The Road, Curbs, Sidewalks, Driveways, and Lawns

The installation of a new water main typically involves excavating a trench within the right of way of the municipal corporation. This is owned by the city, town, or region. It encompasses the street and the area in the middle of the road and one’s water service box. Relying upon the water main's placement, this trench may result in temporary disruptions to streets, sidewalks, curbs, driveway aprons, boulevards, and lawns located within the municipal right-of-way. During the replacement of the water service box, excavation of a hole measuring around 2 sqm will be necessary. In case one’s water service box is located in his/her driveway, it will be affected by the construction management plan. Similarly, if the water service box is situated in your lawn, you can anticipate some disruption to the lawn area.

What is the Process?

To solve the problem you can:

- Email the authorities a map. The map is generally created by the irrigation contractor
- You are supposed to cover every sprinkler head which is situated within the municipal right-of-way and/or within one metre of sidewalk, curb, or driveway.

It is advised to move these plants prior to the beginning of the construction. The water by-law refrains placing trees, shrubs, or any objects within 1 metre of any fire hydrants to allow access.

- In case, the tree branches become a barrier within the municipal right-of-way with construction, the trees will be removed.
- If tree branches on private property act as a barrier with construction, they will be removed and placed to the closest appropriate trunk or branch.
- In case, someone does not permit the authority onto his/her property to shave the tree, its branches will vertically cut them.

What Happens When One Replaces His/Her Private-Side Water Service Pipe?

In most instances, the private-side water service pipe on your property is likely to be of a similar age or in a similar state to the municipality’s water service pipe that the authorities replaced. To ensure consistent production of good-quality water (drinking) to one’s home or business, it is advisable to contemplate replacing your private-side water service. Please note that the responsibility for replacing the private-side water service lies with the landlord. Peel Region is unable to undertake this task on your behalf. Please refer to the relevant guidelines for further information on restoring your private-side water service.

Restoration and Rehabilitation

The space surrounding it might be affected during the construction of homes or businesses. Therefore, you must know whether the entire area will get repaired or only the affected portion will be mended. Also, it is important to know how you can approach the authorities and what will be the time and duration of these repairs. Hence, we have mentioned all these details below so you can make informed decisions. Let us look at these by one:

Repairs of Driveway

The Peel authorities state that the driveways will not be completely replaced, but they will repair the damages. Let us look at the provisions for the Asphalt Driveways:

For the Asphalt Driveways, if necessary, a portion will be cut out of one’s driveway to use the water main/replace section of the water service pipe. The extent of the repair depends upon the following:

- Where the water service box is located.
- The presence or absence of a sidewalk /boulevard is a determining factor.
- If the pipe is placed by a tunnelling tool/ because of ploughing a trench. Although, the contractor would use tunnelling equipment if favourable soil and environmental conditions exist.

Restoration of The Interlock and Concrete Driveways

In case, one’s driveway is disrupted and inaccessible, the authorities will restore it. The water main or section of the water service pipe would also be replaced; the contractor will mend the defaced section of your driveway.

Lawn and Front Yard Repairs

Any deranged sod, i.e. grass on one’s front lawn, will be replaced.

What About Your Replacement Sod?

You do not have to worry, as your brand-new sod will be taken care of for a month.

Date of The Repairs

The contractor will repair the deranged/blemished areas of one’s driveway. This will happen once they bury the new water main and connect the new water service pipes to every property on one’s street. The mending might take time, depending upon the availability of the contractor/due to the seasonal weather conditions.

For e.g.

- They cannot pave if the water saturates the ground or the temperature is less than 3°C.
- Asphalt is not obtainable in huge quantities during the winter. It is available around mid-May.
- Since most sod farms are located north of Peel, they generally have sod available beginning in late May. They will put back the sod on the property you own once it is available.

Case: When The Road Work is Planned for The Street

The authorities coordinate construction-related work with the cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the Town of Caledon in order to save taxpayers' money. After the water main replacement, they begin work on the local city or town road work. As this roadwork may have effects on the roads, sidewalk, driveway, or lawn next to the sidewalk, the authorities state that:

- Only the blemished portions of the street will be paved.
- They will fix damaged sidewalks and curbs for the time being,
- Your driveway will be patched to cover it, as the upcoming road work may affect the bottom of one’s driveway. After the paving is completed, they will repair the street and driveway. It will be done by paving a strip over the affected portion.
- This will result in minimal seams in the driveway.

Warranty on Construction Repairs

Sometimes a service box will pop up and no longer be level with the ground after construction and restoration. If this happens to your service box, email or call them. Every work comes under a warranty. The time duration of this warranty is around two years from the completion date. It's usual for the fixed areas to take time to settle in after construction.

What About The Raised Service Boxes?

It might happen that a service box will appear. It might also not be in level with the ground. This could generally occur after construction and repair. In this case, you could email the authorities or call them to restore your service box.

Water and The Citizen’s Home

The majority of houses in the region connect to underground pipes. These pipes connect the wastewater collection system and the regional water supply. Since it is your house, you must pay your water bill on time. You should also maintain and replace certain pipes. Citizens are billed every 3 months. They can get and make a payment of your water bill online through Peel’s billing portal, or you can receive your bill by mail.

Prioritising Work Zone Safety

A work zone refers to a designated area on, under, or near a road where construction or maintenance activities occur. By fostering cooperation among the Region of Peel, our contractors, and all road users, we strive to prioritise the safety of everyone while traversing these zones.