Good morning, Hamilton! 👋

This week, a long-promised safety fix for one of Hamilton's most dangerous streets finally has a price tag and a construction window. A devastating pre-dawn fire displaced families in Stoney Creek. A JUNO-week warm-up event landed in Dundas. And two investigations near the Hamilton-Burlington border wrapped up with charges. Here's what you need to know.

--- Michael Horvath

🛣️ Main Street two-way conversion: $26.2M project moves to contract stage

🔥 Stoney Creek townhouse fire: six units destroyed, families displaced (March 9)

🔫 Burlington police shooting: SIU investigates, charges now laid

🐰 Dundas Easter Egg-stravaganza coming April 4

⚡ Quick Hits

🧭 Hamilton at a Glance

🏘️ Neighbourhood Watch

It's been nearly four years since Hamilton council voted to convert Main Street from a one-way road to two-way traffic as a pedestrian safety measure. This week, the project finally crossed a major threshold: the City confirmed it is moving to award a contract this summer, with construction expected to begin in 2026, according to CBC Hamilton.

The conversion will span six kilometres from Dundurn Street to Gage Park, covering the full stretch of Main Street West and Main Street East to the Delta intersection at King Street East. Engineering director Brian Hollingworth told CBC Hamilton the work is expected to take up to two years to complete.

The total cost is $26.2 million, split across two budget years: $13.1 million from the 2026 budget, with the remaining $13.1 million coming in 2027. The project is part of a broader $150-million transportation infrastructure investment by the City this year, which also includes road resurfacing on Barton Street East, James Street South, Charlton Avenue, and King Street East, as well as watermain and active transportation work on Nebo Road, Mountain Park Avenue, Sherman Cut, and Scenic Drive.

The push to speed up the conversion came from Councillor Maureen Wilson, who had originally moved the 2022 motion declaring the project an "immediate safety intervention." Staff recommended sole-sourcing the detailed design and contract administration to WSP Canada, the same firm that produced the 2023 functional design report, in order to accelerate the timeline. The project had previously been forecast to finish as late as 2028.

The 2022 motion followed a devastating stretch in which 11 pedestrians were killed in vehicle-related accidents on Hamilton streets from January to May of that year, several of them on or near Main Street. Critics labelled the street a "serial killer," and community members held protests outside City Hall demanding change.

CBC Hamilton story   City of Hamilton — Main Street Two-Way Conversion   Bay Observer

Shortly after 4 a.m. on Monday, March 9, Hamilton Fire crews were called to 23 Echovalley Drive in Stoney Creek following multiple reports of fire at a townhouse complex near Mud Street West and Paramount Drive. What they found was described by Fire Chief David Cunliffe as a fully aggressive, multiple-alarm blaze.

"The fire had a really aggressive hold on those units and was driven by a strong wind going to the east," Cunliffe said. At its peak, flames climbed approximately 12 metres (about 40 feet) into the air. Nearly 50 firefighters and 17 units were on scene. Crews set up an aggressive exterior attack from both the front and back of the building and were able to stop the fire from spreading further, but not before it consumed six units.

Five of the six units were significantly damaged; the sixth sustained heavy damage to its attic. Seven to ten residents were displaced. All occupants were accounted for and no injuries were reported among residents. One firefighter was taken to hospital as a precaution for possible smoke inhalation but was not seriously hurt. The Hamilton Street Railway provided a warming bus while displaced residents arranged accommodations.

Estimated damages exceed $6 million. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified and is assisting in determining the origin and cause. Mud Street, between First Road West and Paramount Drive, was temporarily closed during the morning but has since reopened.

CBC Hamilton story   CHCH News   Global News

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating after a Halton Regional Police officer shot and seriously injured a 23-year-old man during a traffic stop in Burlington early Sunday morning, March 8. The man was transported to a Hamilton hospital for treatment.

According to the SIU, officers were in the parking lot of the Crestwood Motel at 527 Plains Road East conducting a traffic stop around 12:30 a.m. when the male driver drove his vehicle toward officers. One officer opened fire multiple times, striking the man multiple times. A female passenger in the vehicle was not physically injured. The man was taken by EMS to a Hamilton hospital, where he was in stable condition.

By Thursday, March 12, Halton Police announced that charges have been laid against the man, who is facing attempted murder, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl). The SIU investigation into the officer's use of force remains ongoing.

The SIU has assigned five investigators, two forensic investigators, and one collision reconstructionist to the case. Anyone with information or video from the area of Plains Road East on March 8 is asked to contact the SIU lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at siu.on.ca.

SIU news release   CBC Hamilton — charges laid   CHCH News

Spring is almost here, and Downtown Dundas is celebrating in style. The Downtown Dundas BIA has announced its annual Easter Egg-stravaganza, a free, family-friendly community event taking place on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM throughout the historic downtown core. Free parking is available all day.

Event highlights include:

🐮 Little Tracks Petting Zoo, located at Eccles Auto Service (121 King Street West)

🎶 Live Music by Mr. Ben, performing from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at 121 King Street West

🐰 Meet the Easter Bunny, hopping around downtown for photos and sweet treats

🎈 Family Fun: balloon twisting and complimentary hot apple cider

Shoppers are also invited to visit over 60 participating downtown merchants for the "Hop In To Win" promotion, with in-store draws for plush bunny friends and other prizes. The prize draw takes place on April 4, with winners contacted afterward.

Downtown Dundas BIA

🎄 March Break starts Monday — Ontario schools are closed March 16–20. The City of Hamilton has extra drop-in swim, gym, and skate programs; Hamilton Public Library is running karaoke, gaming, science, and movie programs; and The Westdale is screening Labyrinth for $9 a ticket. CBC Hamilton March Break guide

🎵 JUNO Week is 11 days away — The 55th JUNO Awards arrive March 26–29 at TD Coliseum. Hamilton-area nominees include Josh Ross, Counterparts, and Daniel Lanois. Performers include Arkells, The Beaches, Daniel Caesar, and Sarah McLachlan. Tickets remain available. JUNO Awards site   Tourism Hamilton

🏃 Around the Bay Race — new date and new route — North America's oldest road race moves to April 12, 2026, with a new harbourfront-hugging route. The 30-km race starts at Pier 4, Leander Drive. Online registration closes March 22. CBC Hamilton

🦳 Youth charged in bear spray assault at Mountain school — A 17-year-old was arrested and charged on March 8 following a March 2 altercation at Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School (1770 Upper Sherman Ave.) in which bear spray was discharged, striking another youth in the face. Two additional suspects remain unidentified. Hamilton Police

🚧 $150M road investment confirmed — The City's full 2026 transportation infrastructure plan is now public: $150 million total, covering repaving on Barton, James, Charlton, and King, as well as active transportation and watermain work on Nebo Road, Mountain Park, Sherman Cut, and Scenic Drive, plus the Main Street conversion. City of Hamilton release

🛣️ Main Street two-way conversion moves to contract stage — $26.2M, Dundurn to Gage Park, construction starting 2026 CBC Hamilton

🔥 Stoney Creek townhouse fire (March 9) — 6 units destroyed, $6M+ damage, 7–10 displaced, cause under investigation CBC Hamilton

🔫 Burlington police shooting (March 8) — 23-year-old charged with attempted murder; SIU investigation ongoing SIU news release

🐰 Dundas Easter Egg-stravaganza — April 4, 11 AM–3 PM, Downtown Dundas, free parking, 60+ merchants Downtown Dundas BIA

🎵 JUNO Week starts March 26 — 11 days away; tickets still available for most events JUNO Awards

🎄 March Break: March 16–20 — City programming, HPL events, and Westdale screenings all on CBC Hamilton guide

🏙️ Downtown / Lower City

The Main Street two-way conversion is the biggest infrastructure news for the lower city in years. For residents and businesses along the Dundurn-to-Gage Park corridor, expect significant construction activity beginning sometime this fall, with the full project running into 2027. The redesign includes two eastbound lanes, one westbound lane, a turning lane, and a protected bike lane past Victoria Avenue South. 👉 City of Hamilton project page

⛰️ The Mountain

The youth charged in the March 2 bear spray assault at Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School (Upper Sherman Avenue) was arrested March 8. Two additional suspects remain unidentified. School officials and police continue to work together on prevention. Hamilton Police note that bear spray incidents at schools are an ongoing enforcement priority. 👉 Hamilton Police

🌿 Dundas

Downtown Dundas kicks off spring with its Easter Egg-stravaganza on April 4, featuring a petting zoo, live music, a balloon twister, hot apple cider, and the Easter Bunny roaming the streets. Over 60 merchants are participating in the "Hop In To Win" prize draw. Free parking all day. 👉 Downtown Dundas BIA

🏡 Ancaster

March Break begins Monday, March 16. Ancaster families looking for activities can find extra City of Hamilton drop-in swim, gym, and skate programs running through the week, as well as March Break programming at Hamilton Public Library branches. The Gage Park Spring Discovery Days continue as a greenhouse warm-up option through the season. 👉 CBC Hamilton March Break guide

💦 Waterdown

The Around the Bay Road Race moves to a new date and new route in 2026: April 12, starting at Pier 4 on Leander Drive with the 30-km course going around the bay. Online registration closes March 22. Waterdown-area runners and spectators looking for a harbourfront event should note the relocated start and finish lines. 👉 CBC Hamilton

🏖️ Stoney Creek

The March 9 townhouse fire at 23 Echovalley Drive is one of the most significant residential fires in the area in recent memory, with six units destroyed and over $6 million in damages. The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating the cause. Displaced residents have been accommodated. Anyone who saw anything unusual in the area of Mud Street West and Paramount Drive in the overnight hours of March 8 to 9 is encouraged to contact Hamilton Fire or Hamilton Police. 👉 CBC Hamilton

This week brought long-awaited progress on one of Hamilton's most important safety files: Main Street is finally getting its two-way conversion. After years of advocacy, community grief, and political back-and-forth, construction is now on the horizon for 2026. It's worth pausing to acknowledge how much that matters to the people who fought for it.

The fire on Echovalley Drive is a reminder of how quickly things can change for families and neighbours, and the community response at the scene, from firefighters to HSR drivers to neighbours opening their homes, reflects the city at its best.

And with JUNO Week now less than two weeks away, Hamilton is about to have its national moment. Enjoy it.

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Michael Horvath