There is still no firm date for when the Saint Patrick Street pedway in uptown Saint John will fully reopen to the public.
Part of the pedway connecting Market Square and Brunswick Square has been closed since early April for construction.
The $1.6-million redevelopment was supposed to be done in October, but city officials said the contractor faced “unexpected challenges.”
At the time the delay was announced, a news release from the city said the pedway is expected to open “later this year.”
When our newsroom asked for an updated timeline this week, a city spokesperson did not offer a firm timeline for completion.
“We know that everyone has been eagerly anticipating the opening of the new Saint Patrick Street pedway following several months of construction,” the spokesperson said in an email.
“The City of Saint John is working closely with the contractors to ensure the pedway opens as soon as possible.”
Officials said the two aging escalators are being replaced with wide stairs and a second elevator is being installed as part of the $1.6-million project.
The upgrades will lead to a significant reduction in annual energy and maintenance costs and are needed to provide an improved level of service, said the city.
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.
“We are confident that this improvement will be worth the wait, providing a convenient and accessible experience for all,” said the city.
“Businesses and services within the pedway system remain open during construction and we encourage the public to continue to visit.”
Access remains open from City Hall to the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.
