Word on the street
Public session scheduled to discuss Port Hawkesbury street reconstruction
The Town of Port Hawkesbury is about to embark on what’s being described as the largest investment in its infrastructure in more than a decade, with the $4.1 million reconstruction of Pitt and Napean streets.
The town awarded the contract for the cost-shared project to Allsteel Coatings Ltd. The work will involve the total replacement of all buried piping, sidewalks, and road resurfacing for both streets.
Funding for the project was announced last year through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, with the federal government providing 50 per cent of the project costs and the provincial and municipal government portions set at 25 per cent each.
“They are two main streets in town, the infrastructure has been in the ground for 50-plus years,” Jason MacMillan, project manager for the Town of Port Hawkesbury and Strait Engineering Ltd., said in an interview.
A public consultation meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Wednesday at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre Bear Head Room. Residents who would like to know more about the project scope or wish to review construction plans are urged to attend.
“The Town of Port Hawkesbury is encouraging open communication with businesses and residents with this project,” MacMillan said.
MacMillan said residents who attend the session will see a presentation about the project and have an opportunity to ask questions of key personnel.
“This project represents the largest investment in town infrastructure in over a decade. The complete rebuilding and improving of two of our primary residential streets and traffic arteries will benefit residents for many years to come,” Port Hawkesbury Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton said in a news release.
Allsteel Coatings is scheduled to begin the work early in September. The town has indicated the company has experience with similar types of projects.
MacMillan advised that the project will begin in September and town residents may experience service and traffic disruptions as it proceeds.
Allsteel hasn’t yet submitted its detailed work plan about precisely how it will proceed.
“We hope to have that shortly and we’ll be conveying that message to the public as we get the information,” MacMillan said.
The project will incorporate new design features intended to improve safety and aesthetics of the streets while improving the reliability of services. Work is expected to be completed by the end of March.
If funding programs are available that council sees as making sense for the town, the intention would likely be to perform similar work in other areas of Port Hawkesbury in the future, MacMillan said.
Residents with questions about the project can contact 902-625-7899 for additional information.