Water Street to be torn up to replace century-old sewage, water systems

The City of St. John's is getting ready to begin a three-year project to rip up Water Street and replace the water and sewer systems, with council warning that disruptions in the downtown core will be unavoidable.

City council said the century-old infrastructure is badly in need of repair, and some businesses have already complained of flooding.

"It's going to be a huge undertaking," said Coun. Jonathan Galgay​

"Obviously it's going to be a huge headache for businesses in the downtown, but it's something which needs to happen."

Galgay said the exact cost of the multi-million dollar project hasn't yet been determined. 

For the project, Galgay said the city will divide the street into three sections and do one at a time, in order to minimize the negative effect it will have on downtown businesses.

"We hope to have this completed as quickly and efficiently as possible," he said.

"We are committed to ensuring that we have pedestrian pedways in place so that people can continue to visit businesses. There will be a whole host of things that we'll be working on together as we move forward."

A necessary project

While replacing the water and sewer systems will no doubt effect downtown shops and restaurants, the group that represents those businesses says they've been working with the city since day one to keep the pain to a minimum.

Gaylynne Lambert, spokesperson for Downtown St. John's — formerly the Downtown Development Commission — said everyone acknowledges the work has to be done.

"It's going to be a little bit of a tear-up, but it is a necessary project," she said.

"We've been working constantly in consultation with the city, coming up with ideas for ways that we could lessen the impact on business."

Lambert says that includes the possibility of extended construction hours during a seven-day work week.

She said Downtown St. John's is also pushing for an earlier start and later end to the construction season, while working around busier times like Christmas and during the George Street and Busker festivals.

"The less amount of time that this is torn up downtown, the better it will be for everyone," she said.

"We're working very well and steady with city on this."

Lambert is optimistic that the work, while disruptive, won't change the fact that downtown St. John's is central to the culture and economy of the city.

"People consider downtown a special destination, a special place," she said.

"We'll showcase downtown and let people know that, yeah, there's a big hole over there, but everywhere else is operating around it."