Main Street reconstruction begins Monday in North Bay
Redevelopment of North Bay's downtown begins Monday.
Friday morning, the city launched the ‘Making Over Main Street’ construction project.
It will take two years to complete and the mayor said it should create a more inviting downtown.
The $8.85 million reconstruction will include new sidewalks, upgrading of the brick roadway, stairs, lighting and more.
Sudbury-based MCA Contracting Ltd. was awarded the contract.
The project has the blessing of downtown businesses and the Downtown Improvement Area.
"Everybody agrees this needs to happen,” said Katie Bevan, chair of the DIA.
“Obviously, there's some nerves about business interruption but in general, everyone is ready."
North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico said the goal is to minimize disruptions.
"We'll work with our downtown merchants to make sure that during this construction over the next two years that minimal disruption is made," Chirico said.
"We may be closing for a short period of time, but we're not closing it down."
The province is providing $700,000 for construction costs. The first phase -- from Sherbrooke to Wyld, and from Wyld to Ferguson -- is expected to be completed in November.
"There are a lot of levels that it can help with the vibrancy so not only just physically but more accessible and safer," Bevan said.
Chirico said spending money to improve the look and aesthetic of the downtown will only help merchants and shoppers feel safer.
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"You get people downtown through investment and that's private investment and public investment,” he said.
“If anybody has taken a stroll downtown in the last couple months, they've seen a lot cleaner downtown."
The second phase, involving the west side of Main Street, will begin in April 2024 to be completed sometime that fall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.