Depending on the weather, work on the multi-million-dollar reconstruction of Prince Edward Street/County Road 64 will ramp back up as early as the end of this month.
The reconstruction project involving Northumberland County and the Municipality of Brighton is entering its third year, which is supposed to be its last.
Officials have not confirmed a specific construction start date, as timing remains weather dependent, but a county spokesperson told MBC they’re targeting starting back up in the last week of April.
With favourable weather, the goal is to have “full mobilization” by May 4 essentially at two sites – at each end of what’s left of the urban portion of the project along Prince Edward from the Harbour and Stephen area up to Elizabeth Street.
“Because of the scale of this work, construction will happen in co-ordinated phases,” explained Bill Linnen, Brighton’s director of municipal infrastructure and operations. “We’ll begin underground work and multiple sections starting on Stephen Street and Elizabeth Street at the same time, working toward the middle.”
This portion of the project could stretch into July.
“By late summer, construction will shift to the central section between Loyalist Drive and the rail crossing,” said Linnen.
This part of the work is targeted to run into October.
Residents can again expect road closures, detours and the like for the construction season.
Linnen said local access will be maintained wherever possible, but residents can expect temporary disruptions.
A major reconstruction effort, the project is tackling extensive upgrades above- and underground, replacing water mains and sewers, adding new road and sidewalks, improving intersections, pedestrian crossings, and more. As previously reported, most of the roadway and underground infrastructure were described as at the end of their service life, requiring replacement.
Residents may have already noticed some early prep work in the area, although this work shouldn’t be resulting in any disruption or road closures. County officials said work is focused on minor tree removals, installation of temporary water infrastructure to residents’ homes and boulevard work.
“These activities are helping ensure crews are ready to begin full construction as soon as conditions allow,” said the Northumberland County spokesperson, in response to MBC inquiries.
The spokesperson also said that once a confirmed start date is established, residents will be notified directly and updates issued.
As for this year’s construction approach, work starting at both ends of the project will mean multiple crews can work simultaneously, which should improve efficiency, maintain the project schedule and reduce overall duration of construction, explained the county.
“It’s a large project that includes a lot (of) deep digging and trenching for water and sewer infrastructure replacement, so spacing out crews helps ensure schedule adherence,” the spokesperson told MBC. “It also provides important safety benefits, giving crews adequate space to operate and reducing overlap between work zones.”
Once complete, officials continue to reiterate that the project will help with long-term community growth with significant infrastructure upgrades, safer travels and improved accessibility.
“This project is about more than rebuilding a road – it’s about investing in the community’s future and managing growth with intention,” explained Peter Deshane, the county’s manager of infrastructure. “By replacing aging infrastructure and improving how people move through the community, we are building a safer, more connected corridor that will support residents, businesses and visitors for years to come.”
During active construction, Prince Edward will be closed to through-traffic in work zones, with detour routes in place.
However, all businesses along the impacted stretches are to remain open during construction.
The goal is to wrap construction by the end of October 2026.
The county also has a dedicated online project page for residents to access updates around construction, detours and more.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
