West / James St. Capital Project

For this project, we aim to provide weekly updates each Friday to keep residents informed about the upcoming week of construction. Please continue to check this section regularly to stay informed about all project progress and important updates.

Traffic control measures are in place to keep vehicles moving safely and efficiently, and crews strive to limit wait times to approximately 15 minutes whenever possible. For the safety of all, drivers are reminded to follow the rules of the road and are encouraged to be respectful of business and residential entrances to allow vehicles to enter/exit these properties.

Construction Schedule Update (as of Dec. 3rd, 2025)

Due to inclement weather, crews will not be on site during the daytime shift on December 3rd, 2025. Traffic controls remain in place with a detour on Highland and Fairview, and one lane on West St. open for traffic.

Weekly Construction Schedule (as of Nov. 28th, 2025)

The schedule for the week of Nov. 29th until Dec. 5th is as follows:

Crews will be working during the daytime Saturday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Traffic controls will be in place, with a full detour on Highland and Fairview during work hours. After work hours, one lane on West Street will reopen when conditions allow.
Traffic control will ensure local traffic maintains access to their driveways.

Crews remain on site throughout the day with multiple teams working in different areas of the project. Even with no night work planned, contractors are maximizing daytime hours to keep the project moving efficiently.

Weekly Construction Schedule (as of Nov. 21st, 2025)

The schedule for the week of Nov. 22nd until Nov. 28th is as follows:

Crews will be working during the daytime Saturday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Traffic controls will be in place, with a full detour on Highland and Fairview during work hours. After work hours, one lane on West Street will reopen when conditions allow.

Weekly Construction Schedule (as of Nov. 14th, 2025)

The schedule for the week of Nov. 15th until Nov. 21st is as follows:

Crews will be working during the daytime Saturday and Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There may be limited access to 42 West Street and the skatepark entrance, periodically throughout the day on Monday, November 17th.
Traffic control will be in place, with a detour along Fairview Street to Highland Drive.

Weekly Construction Schedule (as of Nov. 7, 2025)

The schedule for the week of Nov. 8th until Nov. 14th is as follows:

Crews will be working Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and for a few hours on Sunday.
They will return from Wednesday to Friday, with no work on Monday or Tuesday.
Traffic control will be in place, with a detour along Fairview Street to Highland Drive.

Weekly Construction Schedule (as of Oct. 31, 2025)

The schedule for the week of Nov. 3rd until Nov. 9th is as follows:

Crews will be on-site on West Street Monday to Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Traffic control will be in place, with the detour along Fairview Street to Highland Drive.
Residents are asked to follow all traffic control signage and directions while work is ongoing to ensure safety and efficiency.

Project Overview

The project has been split into two phases to ensure efficient delivery and minimal disruption:

Phase 1 (2025) - West Street & Sewer Work:

Sewer upgrades: Lining of the main sewer pipe along James and West Streets to fix past leaks and breakages.
Street improvements: Asphalt resurfacing, new curbs, and 6-foot-wide accessible sidewalks from West/James to West/Highland.
West Street paving: Fixing areas impacted by Active Transportation Trail changes.

Phase 2 (2026) - West Street Completion:

Water main upgrades: West/James to the roundabout.
Remaining street work: Asphalt resurfacing, curbs, and sidewalks for the remaining sections.

Project Highlight - Sewer Lining Work

The Town is moving forward with the trenchless rehabilitation of aging sanitary sewer mains along West Street and James Street. Many of these pipes are more than fifty years old. Using cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology, this project will extend the life of the existing sewer system without major excavation, reducing impacts on residents and traffic.

Work includes inspection, cleaning, lining, and testing to ensure the upgraded system meets environmental and engineering standards.

Resident Impacts

Sections of sewer mains will need to be taken offline for approximately 24 hours while the liner is installed. During this time, homes and businesses in the affected area cannot use water or sewer drains.

Advance notices will be delivered to all impacted properties.
Specific dates and instructions will be provided ahead of time.
Work on West Street may require temporary detours through Fairview Street.

Work is tentatively scheduled to begin the second week of December.

Benefits of This Upgrade

Extends the lifespan of aging sewer infrastructure by decades.
Reduces blockages and breaks, improving system reliability.
Prevents groundwater infiltration, supporting environmental protection.
Minimizes surface disruption thanks to trenchless methods—less digging, noise, and traffic impact.
More cost-efficient than traditional pipe replacement.
Improves overall system performance to support future community needs.

Next Steps

Complete all Phase 1 work before the end of December

The Town of Antigonish is investing in safer, smoother, and more accessible streets on West Street, while also upgrading sewer infrastructure along James and West Streets. This project replaces aging underground systems and rebuilds West Street to modern standards, improving travel, drainage, and pedestrian safety for years to come.

What Residents Can Expect

Fresh, durable pavement for smoother travel
Modern curbs and storm drains for improved drainage
Fully accessible sidewalks for safer walking routes
A long-term investment in safer and more efficient infrastructure