Princess St. Reconstruction: Frequently Asked Questions
Road closure updates
Beginning Monday, March 1:
- Princess Street will be closed from Wellington Street to just above Ontario Street. Both Wellington and Ontario Streets remain open.
- King Street will be closed from Brock Street through the intersection at Princess Street. Both Brock and Queen Streets remain open.
QUESTIONS:
Will businesses in the reconstruction area still be open?
How will the reconstruction project affect traffic downtown?
Why did the City choose now to start the reconstruction?
What will happen if the project is not completed by July 1st?
Will other areas of Princess Street or the downtown be scheduled for reconstruction in the future?
Will I still be able to park on the street downtown?
ANSWERS:
Q: Will businesses in the reconstruction area still be open?
A: Residents will have access to all businesses in the reconstruction area at all times. The City and Corcoran Excavating have worked closely with Downtown Kingston! in creating a plan that will keep businesses as accessible as possible to residents. Signs will also be placed throughout the construction zone indicating that all businesses are open as usual.
Q: How will the reconstruction project affect traffic downtown?
A: At various times during the reconstruction project, detours will be set for vehicular traffic in downtown Kingston. Please check www.cityofkingston.ca/princess or the City pages of the Kingston Whig-Standard (Tuesday) and Kingston this Week (Thursdays) for information about the detours as the traffic plan is formed.
Q: Why did the City choose now to start the reconstruction?
A: For many years it has been known that the underground utility infrastructure beneath Princess Street required replacement. The City has chosen, after much consultation, to begin construction in the spring of 2010 and to end construction by July 1, 2010 in consideration of the summer tourist season.
Q: What will happen if the project is not completed by July 1st?
A: The contractor is obligated by its contract with the City to have the road surface repaved and open to traffic on July 1st. If more work is required of the contractor, it will return at a later date to complete any unfinished elements of the project.
A: Yes. Under the Downtown Action Plan (see link at right), 36 blocks of downtown Kingston are due for some kind of construction/reconstruction. The Plan is going to be conducted in stages as the City is mindful of the disruptive power of such projects to residents and businesses alike. The City has learned a great deal about the work required for this stage of the Princess Street reconstruction from the construction projects at Springer Market Square and other downtown streets. This knowledge informs the upcoming phase of reconstruction on Princess Street. While a schedule for the remainder of the Princess Street area to be reconstructed has yet to be established, the knowledge gained from this initial phase will greatly impact the future reconstruction plans for Princess Street.
Q: Will I still be able to park on the street downtown?
A: Except for the immediate reconstruction zone, all on-street parking downtown will be open as usual (keep in mind that on-street parking may be limited due to other circumstances).
