Barrie Construction News staff writer
Trisan Construction has been awarded the tender for the Sixth Street infrastructure project in Collingwood, with work set to renew aging underground services and deliver upgrades aimed at improving safety, accessibility and active transportation.
The project will include replacement of water infrastructure to improve supply and pressure to the town’s west side, along with enhancements to sidewalks, curbs and cycle tracks.
Municipal officials say the work is part of broader efforts to modernize critical infrastructure while accommodating growth.
The project has also drawn attention from residents concerned about impacts on trees along the corridor. The town says 40 trees will need to be removed to allow construction to proceed, noting that some are already in poor condition.
Mayor Yvonne Hamlin acknowledged the concerns, saying council is committed to balancing infrastructure renewal with environmental stewardship.
“We understand that residents are upset about the trees that need to be removed to allow this important project to move forward, and we share in that concern,” Hamlin said. “We’ve heard loud and clear how deeply our community values protecting and growing our tree canopy.”
She said the municipality has committed to replacing the trees at a 3:1 ratio and advancing goals outlined in its urban forest management plan.
Under the plan, 120 new trees will be planted, with a focus on long-term survival and sustainability. The town said the new plantings will be approximately 50 mm in diameter — a size chosen for its higher survival rate and will include a three-year warranty.
Tree removals are scheduled for April, with some replanting expected to begin as early as fall 2026.
Officials said 40 replacement trees will be planted within the project area, while the remaining trees will either be offered to nearby property owners or planted on adjacent streets and parks, including Fifth Street, Seventh Street and Walnut Street and Kinsmen parks.
Town forestry coordinator Donald Cameron said the approach emphasizes selecting appropriate species and locations.
“The replacement strategy focuses on ‘right tree, right place’,” he said, noting the goal is to ensure trees have adequate space to grow and do not conflict with infrastructure or utilities.
The town added it is increasing species diversity by incorporating more native and climate-resilient trees to support a healthier urban forest over the long term.