NS News: Street construction continues until the summer Achi-News

Downtown Sydney, NS, is looking pretty torn up these days.

Part of Charlotte Street has been under construction since April. Just a block away, part of the Esplanade is down to one lane – and a bumpy one – until Friday, as part of Nova Scotia Community College’s new Sydney Waterfront building.

“There are many days when nobody can get here,” said Louann MacDonald, owner of a restaurant located on Wentworth Street, a side street between the two major arteries under construction.

To make access to her business and parking even more difficult, the street in front of Louann’s Cafe was also reduced to one lane of traffic on Tuesday.

“Everyone complains that there is no place to park,” said MacDonald.

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) says the lower section of Charlotte Street should be installed in a few months.

“The work on Charlotte Street is on schedule. The contractors hope to finish the work at the end of August,” said Jenna MacQueen of CBRM Communications.

While rain in recent days has created a muddy mess and slowed the work down a bit, MacQueen said this is the third and final phase of the year-long reconstruction of Charlotte Street.

“So the intention is for it to look exactly like Stages 1 and 2, with the pavements widened especially at the crossroads,” said MacQueen. “Accessibility standards are met.”

MacDonald, who opened her cafe in the winter, is not against the construction and said she sees its benefits in the future. She also notes that her business will succeed until the work is completed.

“It has to be done,” said MacDonald. “It’s either this year or next year but it’s too bad it’s so much at one time.”

The work on the Esplanade is being done before the new NSCC campus opens in September.

For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.