There will be no indoor access between Market Square and Brunswick Square in Saint John over the coming months.
Part of the Saint Patrick Street pedway will be closed for a months-long redevelopment project starting on Wednesday.
The closure includes the two escalators and elevator that connect Market Square to Brunswick Square.
Officials said the aging escalators are being replaced with wide stairs and a second elevator is being installed as part of the $1.6-million project.
“These necessary upgrades will result in a significant reduction in annual energy and maintenance costs and are required to provide an improved level of service to the community,” the city said in a news release.
The current escalators and elevator are original to the building and were installed in 1983 as part of the construction of the Saint Patrick Street pedway system.
Officials said mechanical failures and safety issues have forced the two escalators to be closed frequently over the past two years.
Those repairs have resulted in higher maintenance costs and inconvenience to the public and tenants, said the city.
Access will remain open from City Hall to the Canada Games Aquatic Centre and all businesses within the pedway system will still be open.
Wayfinding signage will be installed to help direct pedestrian traffic during the closure, which is expected to continue until the end of October.
