Public Works Department presents 2022 operating budget

HAMILTON, ON – Earlier today, Hamilton City Council’s General Issues Committee considered the 2022 budget from the Public Works Department. Acting General Manager, Craig Murdoch, outlined how Public Works provides services that are central to the lives of the residents and visitors in Hamilton, including roads operation and maintenance, infrastructure rehabilitation, parks and open spaces, transit, waste management, forestry and horticulture, corporate facility management, transit, roadway safety, and more.

The annual presentation featured key highlights from 2021, a look at trends and issues the Department is facing in 2022, and examples of major initiatives in 2022 and beyond.

The preliminary 2022 operating budget request for Public Works showed an increase of 4.7% or $12.5 million.  

Highlights of major initiatives in Public Works in 2022, pending Council approval, will include:

• Major road construction/rehabilitation projects on Southcote Road, Claremont Access (bin walls), Governors Road, Concession St/Mountain Brow Blvd, Barton St, Scenic Dr, Nebo Rd, Kenilworth Ave and Wilson St
• Park revitalization/rehabilitation projects at Sam Lawrence Park, the Hamilton Amateur Athletic Association (HAAA) Grounds, William Connell (Winter Wonderland), Valley Park Skateboard Park and Albion Falls, including projects that enhance accessibility in parks
• Completion of the Emerald Ash Borer Program and continued work on the urban forest health strategy
• Enhanced programming for the Tropical Greenhouse
• Design and construction for green burial at Mount Hamilton Cemetery
• Route optimization and balancing of routes for waste collection
• Continued construction at the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant and a flooding and drainage master servicing study workplan
• Enhanced winter sidewalk snow clearing and crack sealing program
• Continued focus on Vision Zero initiatives such as the Neighbourhood Speed Limit Reduction Program and Automated Speed Enforcement.

Quick facts about Public Works in 2021:

• Completed $111 million in right-of-way road infrastructure projects, including major projects on Rymal Road, the Sherman Access, Highway 8 and at Pier 8 Promenade Park, Pier 5-7 shore wall and boardwalk
• Delivered key facility rehabilitation/construction projects at Greensville School/Community Centre, Beverly School/Community Centre, Valley Park Community Centre, Parkdale Outdoor Pool, Ancaster Memorial Arts and Culture Centre and 500 McNab (Ken Soble Tower)
• Mowed 24,782 acres of grass, installed 12 play structures, constructed 2,495 metres of trail, completed 25 park and trail construction projects and added a new fitness park
• Planted 17,908 trees, responded to 1,316 calls for storm damage relating to trees and removed 2,162 ash trees as part of the Emerald Ash Borer program
• Beautified 348 floral traffic islands, 13 perennial gardens, 68 civic buildings, 669 hanging baskets, and grew more than 273,000 plants
• Achieved 43 per cent residential waste diversion and more than 27 million waste pick ups

Council is expected to consider approval for the final operating budget in March.