Moncton awards tender for $3.3M Downing Plaza project

Moncton is moving forward with a $3.3-million construction project that will create a link from the city's downtown to the Petitcodiac River.

The project will transform Downing Street, which is a dead-end and a parking lot exit, into a vehicle-pedestrian corridor, including small shops, public art and a plaza.

Moncton council awarded the tender to Dexter Construction at its regular meeting on Monday night.

The first phase of construction, which is expected to start in the next two weeks, will include reconfiguring the Blue Cross parking lot, opening the median in the centre of Assomption Boulevard, expansion of the sanitary sewer and installation of municipal services.

There will also be electrical upgrades, street elevation and installation of gravel and recycled asphalt.

The second part of the project will be completed between April and July of 2016.

That phase will include the removal of the recycled asphalt, and installation of a concrete slab, granite curb and paver stones and decorative light, benches and trees.

The project received $500,000 back in January from the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Alcide Richard, Moncton's senior engineer, said he hopes the project will promote revitalization in the downtown.

"The goals of the project were to create a lasting legacy in honour of Moncton's 125th anniversary," he said.

"It also re-establishes a strong connection from the downtown Main Street to the riverfront."

With all of the construction that is set to take place over the next year, one politician is hoping the city will raise awareness of the project.

Coun. Charles Lger said he'd like to see a sign put up so citizens can follow what's going on during construction.

"I think that as people see construction and it's hard to figure out what phase we're in and what it's going to look like and so on," he said.