If you drive along one of Saint John’s busiest routes, you will need to pack a little extra patience. The smooth commute you expected to return in August is delayed.

Paving work on the approaches to the Saint John Harbour Bridge will now continue until September 4. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure originally planned to finish these summer lane closures by the first week of August, according to a report from CTV News Atlantic.

Reasons for the Extended Timeline

Scheduling issues and unexpected extra work caused the delay. Crews need to replace more curbs and gutters than initially planned.

Jacob MacDonald is a communications officer with the New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. He explained the situation in an email to CTV News.

“The project’s start was delayed this spring at the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s request, and on behalf of the City of Saint John, to allow for the transportation of oversized or overweight loads from Port Saint John,” MacDonald said.

Once crews started removing deteriorated curbs and gutters in early July, they found more damage.

“Despite work beginning in early July to remove deteriorated curb and gutters along the roadway, it was determined during the onset that more sections had deteriorated and also required replacement. With much of this work taking place in the median, lane closures have been required in both directions to ensure the safety of both the workers and the public,” MacDonald added.

A Separate Project

This current paving and curb replacement work is completely separate from the massive Saint John Harbour Bridge rehabilitation project. The 58 year old bridge has undergone phased refurbishing since 2021. You can expect lane closures and detours for that larger project to continue into 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the current lane closures on the bridge approaches end?

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure expects the current paving and curb work to finish by September 4.

Why did the project take longer than expected?

The project started late to allow large cargo to move through Port Saint John. Once work began, crews discovered more deteriorated curbs and gutters that required replacement.

Is this part of the main bridge rehabilitation?

No. This specific work focuses on the approaches to the bridge. The main Saint John Harbour Bridge rehabilitation project is a separate effort that will continue into 2027.