New downtown sidewalks to include brick and colour upgrades

Moncton city council has approved the next step in a long-term plan to replace aging downtown red brick sidewalks with a new paver design aimed at improving accessibility, durability and the overall look of Main Street.

During last week’s Moncton city council meeting, staff and consultants unveiled designs for the first phase of the project, which will see a section of sidewalk reconstructed between Assumption Boulevard and Mechanic Street, in front of the Residence Inn.

“We came to realize that the red brick may not be the suitable material for our sidewalks downtown,” said Director of Engineering Rene Lagace. He noted the previous council supported the move to a different paver stone and streetscape design after years of maintenance issues with the existing brick surfaces.

The new paving style builds on the design already installed along Westmorland Street. Senior Landscape Architect and planner Jim Scott of Trace Planning said the project is about more than replacing bricks.

“In urban design, when we’re working with street patterns, we’re working to do three different environments within our pedestrian realm,” Scott told council.

The design includes a dedicated pedestrian walkway adjacent to storefronts, an amenity zone for features such as patios, seating and landscaping, and a utility strip for infrastructure such as lighting.

A custom “Fundy Brown” paver colour, inspired by the Petitcodiac River, will be incorporated throughout the streetscape. The colour will be used to highlight intersections and civic landmarks while lighter paving stones define primary walking areas.

The initial block will also serve as a testing ground for new underground tree infrastructure. City staff plan to install a soil-cell system beneath the sidewalk that provides significantly more growing space and better drainage conditions for street trees.

Scott said similar systems are commonly used in larger cities, including Toronto, and are increasingly being adopted in Halifax.

“What you would see under the ground is essentially pieces of plastic that structurally hold up the sidewalk while allowing tree roots to grow through quality soil,” he explained.

The city will also install a concrete base beneath the pavers to reduce settling and heaving, issues that have plagued existing brick sidewalks.

Staff pointed to similar installations on Westmorland and Downing streets, where the paving has performed well over several years.

In addition to replacing the sidewalks, the project includes upgrades to street lighting and underground electrical infrastructure.

Councillors praised the design and highlighted improvements for accessibility.

Councillor Greg Turner called the work “long overdue” and said smoother surfaces will benefit people using wheelchairs and others who face mobility challenges.

“It’s really accessibility for people who have challenges in walking, wheelchairs, whatever, you name it,” Turner said. “This is going to be so well received.” Turner also asked about plans for the rest of Main Street.

Lagace responded that the work will be carried out in phases, likely one block at a time, as funding permits.

The city deliberately chose the first section because it contains no restaurant patios, allowing crews to test construction timing and methods before moving into busier areas.

Current plans call for the next phase to extend westward, with the long-term goal of renewing sidewalks between Assumption Boulevard and Lutz Street, where the existing brick infrastructure is in the poorest condition.

Councillor Marc Leger said many residents have a sentimental attachment to the red brick sidewalks but welcomed the explanation behind the new design.

“There’s a certain fondness for the brick sidewalk,” Leger said. “This helps us an awful lot with that communication.”

Councillor Kristin Cavoukian also praised the proposal and raised the need for additional bicycle parking, particularly as downtown streets continue to evolve.

City staff said future phases will include opportunities for expanded bike parking where space permits.

The project represents the first step in what is expected to be a multi-year transformation of Main Street’s pedestrian environment, with city officials hoping the upgrades will create a more accessible, attractive and resilient downtown core.