Endless construction and Saint John are easily synonymous for our city’s locals. Uptown Saint John has it happening practically in their backyard. The Fundy Harbour group has been working on a massive project along the harbour’s edge. The project was put into operation in October 2022, and is estimated to be fully completed in “eight to ten years.” The Fundy Harbour Group, on their website, says, “The Fundy Quay project is a catalytic project for Saint John involving a key waterfront development site which has been actively pursued for many years.” It’s a multi-phase project, and in the end will have five buildings with a total floor area of 69,700 square meters. The project also aims to introduce 400 internal parking spaces. Since parking is already a tight squeeze Uptown, this will be an excellent benefit for the residents-to-be.

Elizabeth Williamson/The Baron

The Government of Canada, the Government of New Brunswick, and the City of Saint John are paying for the public spaces, while the Fundy Harbour Group handles the cost of the private development. Many of the features of the Fundy Quay have already been completed, such as the plaza, the enclosed patio areas for four-season outdoor dining, a modern-styled stage as well as the tidal steps and rock pool. The portion of Harbour Passage Trail that led from the Hilton’s boardwalk to Market Square’s main entrance has been reconnected with the opening of the main quay. The reopening of the boardwalk has encouraged more people to walk through that area. Young children are excited by the rock pool’s fountain and the tidal steps, and dog owners enjoy having a trail to walk their canine friends down. The boardwalk, or slip, was opened in July of this year, now called the Ihtoli-maqahamok, or Gathering Space. Constriction on the area is set to continue through the winter. This is the more exciting bit of construction happening uptown.

A much less exciting bit of construction is going on just up the hill. Most of the road around King’s Square and down Charlotte Street is being completely repaved. The sidewalks are getting a similar treatment, but the walking conditions are much better than the driving conditions. No vehicle can head down these roads. Due to this, the King’s Square bus stop is inoperable. Starting August 26th, the buses that usually stop at King’s Square have been routed to King Street East and Water Street. Oddly enough, the construction makes walking around easier for pedestrians. There are no crosswalk waiting times, and a partially paved path is provided for those walking between the Market Entrance and King’s Square. This may be considered a nuisance for tourists, however. The detours are expected to last at least eight weeks, so perhaps by the time this article is read, traffic will be travelling smoothly down a repaved road.

Elizabeth Williamson/The Baron

This construction may not be as exciting in prospect as the construction down by Market Square, but it has been needed. Construction may never stop in St. John, but when a piece of it finally becomes complete, there really is no excuse for not celebrating.