Project Overview
The High Street Reconstruction Project is set to begin this spring, bringing essential infrastructure upgrades along with thoughtfully designed features that enhance traffic calming, active transportation (such as walking and cycling), and streetscape improvements. These upgrades will create a safer and more convenient environment for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and deliveries while improving public access to businesses, landmarks, and the waterfront.
Building on previous streetscape designs, this project has undergone extensive engineering design and public consultation to ensure meaningful improvements to Southampton’s downtown core.
We recognize this exciting project also brings concerns about the impact of construction on businesses and the community. The Town is committed to minimizing disruptions and supporting our local businesses throughout the reconstruction.
Here are some ways we are working to minimize impacts:
In December 2024, Council asked the project team to reduce the High Street Reconstruction from a 3-Year to a 2-Year project aiming to minimize the overall disruption to businesses and the community.
The goal of the modified timeline is to complete the work in a way that reduces long-term disruption over a shorter, two-year period. The revised plan is designed to optimize construction efficiency and ensure the project progresses smoothly.
Phase One (2025) - Victoria St to Grosvenor St
Phase Two (2026) - Grosvenor St to Dominion Point
The Town intends to take as many measures as possible to support businesses and reduce impact during this time, including but not limited to:
- Maintaining well-marked, accessible pedestrian access to all businesses
- Maintaining the flow of traffic down High Street to ensure access to the downtown core is not interrupted
- Temporary directional signage for visitors
- A Town-led campaign to drive support for affected businesses
- Co-ordination with the Southampton BIA throughout the project
A section of the sanitary sewers under High Street is due for replacement – a process which, with traditional methods, requires significant time and digging to complete. The project team has opted for a less invasive but equally effective option. Sewer lining is completed through sewer access points, providing a solution similar to a new sanitary system with the same lifespan, without digging up the road. This work will be completed prior to the start of reconstruction. Properties in the work area will receive communications on potential impacts.
Next Steps
The Town has initiated the process for accepting bids on the reconstruction project. Once the contract is awarded, a more detailed timeline will be available. The town remains committed to maintaining transparency throughout the project and will provide updates on this page as available.
Anticipated Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - incomplete
Sewer Lining
Late Winter/Early Spring - half block on each side of Albert St
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Timeline item 2 - incomplete
Public Meeting
April 10, 2025
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Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Phase One Reconstruction
May-September 2025 - Victoria St to Grosvenor St
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Timeline item 4 - incomplete
Phase Two Reconstruction
2026 - Grosvenor St to Dominion Point
Community Involvement and What We Heard
High Street Feedback
After reviewing the results of public consultation on the High Street Reconstruction, the project team identified three key themes in the feedback.
For a more in-depth look at the public feedback, please review the Public Engagement Comments and Feedback Report and Presentation from October 28, 2024.
How was the design changed following public feedback?
To reflect feedback from the community, changes have been made to the Preliminary Design Plans presented at the Public Information Centre on July 4, 2024. The redesign addresses the main concern of loss of parking spaces, but upgrades have still been implemented to address Road Safety and Streetscaping.
Recommended Final Design
To view the entire recommended design, expand this image. Once expanded, you may zoom in to view features.
Design Changes to Parking Spaces
The following design modifications have been made to address the public's request to increase parking spaces from the Preliminary Design.
Impact of Design Changes on Parking
| High Street (Victoria Street to | Existing Conditions | PIC Preliminary Design Plan (July 4, 2024) | Revised Design Plan (November 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Parking Spaces | 207 | 142 | 203 |
| Parking Spaces Lost Compared to Existing Conditions | - | 65 | 4 |
Design Features
Although the design was modified to address the main concern of parking along High Street, it was still important for the community to focus on improving the experience for all users by implementing upgrades where possible to enhance the vibrancy of the downtown core and to help make High Street a year-round destination. As a result, the following design improvements have been implemented based on the feedback heard from the community to develop a ‘best fit‘ solution for their downtown.
Click the markers on the images below to learn about specific features of the recommended design. White markers indicate new features. Red markers indicate the removal of features from either the existing conditions or from the preliminary design.
Cenotaph Feedback
The Cenotaph survey presented the public with four designs to choose from (see. The results of the survey indicated the following results:
- Option 1 - Rebuild or Restore the Existing Cairn and Cross: 49%
- Option 2A - Proposed 2 Stone Columns: 23%
- Option 2B - Proposed 2 Stone Columns with Existing Cairn and Cross: 2%
- Option 3 - Rebuild/Restore the Existing Cairn and Cross with a Memorial Wall: 26%
In addition, it is noted that a petition that was circulated in the community (not part of Town engagement) for the preservation of the existing cairn and cross received 577 resident signatures.
Community Involvement
How has the community been involved so far?
- An in-person Public Information Centre was held on July 4, 2024 where residents had an opportunity to review project information, provide comments and complete a survey on Cenotaph options.
- Online comments on the High Street Reconstruction project were received July 12-26, 2024. Paper comment sheets were also made available at the Municipal Office.
- An online survey on the Cenotaph design options was available July 12-26, 2024. Paper surveys were also made available at the Municipal Office. The following design options were presented:
- A 48 hour survey was available to FlashVote panelists from August 20-22.
- An online survey was available August 23 to September 5 seeking information on how people experience High Street and what improvements they see as worthwhile.
