New Brunswick Museum expansion now underway

Provincial and municipal leaders planted shovels in the dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony in front of the New Brunswick museum to declare the beginning of its construction phase.

Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon, speaking at the announcement, said the moment marks a historicchapter in the city and the province.

"The economics of this project cannot be understated," she said.

Valued at $130 million, Reardon said it will be the largest construction project in the city.

"By bringing together government support at all levels, we have ensured that this museum will not only be a cultural hub, but also a driver of economic growth for our city and the province," she said.

Reardon, along with PremierBlaine Higgs, MP Wayne Long and representatives of the museum and the EllisDon construction group, made the announcement Monday morning.

WATCH | PremierBlaine Higgs says announcement is next step in N.B.'s history:

Construction set to begin on N.B. Museum after groundbreaking ceremony

3 days ago

Duration 1:37

The New Brunswick Museum revitalization project, which will rebuild and expand the historic Saint John building, is entering its next phase and beginning construction.

The New Brunswick Museum revitalization project will partially rebuild and expand the historic building in Saint John.

It will also upgrade the city's parking and pedestrian infrastructure, with a new snow-ban lot for winters and upgraded sidewalks in the area. Other upgrades will include turning the Douglas Avenue and Bentley Street crosswalks into "lighted crosswalks" and an extension of Harbour Passage, a trail that connects the west side and north end with the uptown.

Speaking with media following the announcement, Higgs said potential changes to the provincial government in the upcoming provincial election won't cause any changes to the funding already committed to the project.

"The federal portion is fully committed and the [museum board] is seeking private investments now. So it is sealed, signed and delivered," Higgs said.

According to a government of New Brunswick media release, the province will contribute $58 million tothe project. The federal government will provide just under $50 million.

Higgssaid construction should begin "probably over the next few weeks."

Construction to begin soon but no set date

The EllisDon company will oversee construction. Shaun Stiles, the group's senior vice-presidentand area manager for the Atlantic region, said construction is expected to begin soon.

"They don't have an exact date, but the tender package is out now for demolition," he said.

Work on the museum is expected to take roughly two and half years, according to the province's media release. Stiles said residents should expect some standard noise disruptions.

"It's a big project we're in a few years of construction, so there will be noise, there will be dirt and debris," he said.

"But we're used to doing stuff like this in residential areas. So we'll do our best to keep it down to a minimum."

Stiles says construction times will likely be between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. and that he does not foresee significant traffic disruptions.

Last year, the owners of five privately owned properties near the museum site were sent buying offers by the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. The houses will be demolished to make way for the museum's parking infrastructure.

Stiles said all houses in the museum's construction path have been vacated.