Residents and commuters who frequent the South End need to mark their calendars. The City of Saint John has announced a significant infrastructure project for Sydney Street, scheduled for the 2026 construction season. The work targets the stretch between St. James Street and Broad Street, involving deep utility renewal and a full surface reconstruction.

Project Scope and Timeline

The infrastructure in this area is nearing the end of its useful life. To address this, the City will replace the existing watermain and sanitary sewers while installing a new storm sewer system. This underground work includes renewing existing services to each building up to the property lines.

Above ground, the street will look significantly different once work wraps up. The project includes full street reconstruction featuring:

• New concrete curbs and sidewalks.
• New road gravels and asphalt.
• Installation of grass medians and trees.
• Updated roadway signage.

Crews anticipate starting the work in Spring 2026, with a completion target of late August 2026.

Traffic Impacts

You should expect disruptions if you travel through this area. While the City intends to maintain local traffic access as much as possible, partial and full street closures will occur. Construction crews will set up signed detours to manage traffic flow around the work zone.

Public Information Session

City representatives want to hear from you and answer questions regarding the project. A drop-in information session is scheduled where you can learn more about the specific impacts and timelines.

When: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Trinity Anglican Church, 115 Charlotte Street

For those unable to attend, specific project inquiries can be directed to Mikel Lester, P.Eng., at Utilities & Infrastructure by calling (506) 658-4455. You can find the official notice on the City of Saint John website.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the construction start?

The project is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2026 and finish by the end of August 2026.

Will the street be closed completely?

Yes, at times. While local traffic will be permitted when possible, you should expect both partial and full street closures throughout the project duration.

What specific improvements are being made?

Beyond replacing aging water and sewer pipes, the project adds new storm sewers, repaves the road, installs new curbs and sidewalks, and adds greenery including grass medians and trees.