Sault’s Queen Street to undergo reconstruction

Phase 1 of the reconstruction of Queen Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie is getting underway, although it will be scaled down from the original plan.

With construction bids coming in above the $6 million budget, City staff opted to focus efforts on a section of Queen Street in most need of work.

Queen Street from Elgin to Brock Street will make up the first part of the project, and depending on the success of a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund application, the boundary could extend to East Street.

“We’re looking at doing primarily a resurfacing job, however, we will doing underground from Elgin to March, which means we’ll be replacing the sewers,” said design engineer Maggie McAuley.

“Everything will be replaced -- asphalt, curbs, paving stones, concrete sidewalk.”

McAuley said there is a landscaping component as well.

“Reintroducing the trees that have been reduced over time along Queen Street, we’re going to be planting some new ones, including some planters,” she said.

“We’re going to be adding benches and bike racks to compliment the bike lane that we’re going to be introducing.”

Rory Ring, president and CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, said projects such as the Queen Street reconstruction make cities more attractive to investors.

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“Let’s face it, we are competing with every other community across the globe to attract those kind of investments,” said Ring.

“The better we can position ourselves to do that through infrastructure enhancements, but also through visual appeal, can only be beneficial. And then that attracts people and people attract business.”

During construction, Ring said the city will need to stay in contact with businesses on Queen Street to ensure minimal disruption.

To that end, the city will be hosting an open house for business owners and residents in the area.