Major makeover of Main Street in North Bay nearly complete

The ‘Making Over Main Street’ reconstruction work started in May 2023. The City of North Bay and the Downtown Improvement Area are celebrating the speed and quality of work completed so far. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

The final block of North Bay’s Making Over Main Street project, between Fraser and Cassells streets, is now open to both vehicles and pedestrians.

In a news release Friday, the city said all fencing and traffic control barricades have been removed, allowing for full access to the revitalized area.

"Some final touches, including landscape furniture placement and installation of the handrails on Block 2, between Ferguson and Fraser streets, are still underway and are expected to be completed by mid-November," the release said.

Construction of the roughly $9 million project began in spring 2023 and is the first major renovation of the downtown in 40 years.

It was broken down into five phases to minimize disruption to businesses in the area.

Phase 1, along the Main Street corridor from Sherbrook Street to Wyld Street, is complete with a freshly paved road, wider concrete sidewalks and stairs, was completed last summer.

Sudbury-based MCA Contracting Ltd. was awarded the contract to do the work.