The City of Saint John is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Main Street Activation Project, a transformative initiative aimed at improving safety, accessibility, and traffic flow for all road users. This milestone marks a significant investment in the city’s transportation infrastructure and reflects our commitment to building a safer, more connected community.

The reconstruction project introduced a number of key upgrades and design changes to better serve motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians:

Key Changes for Motorists:

• Reduced Road Width: Main Street now features two lanes in each direction, promoting calmer traffic and safer conditions.
• Intersection Reconfigurations: Sight lines have been improved at Station Street, Paradise Row, and Portland Street. Stop signs were added at Station Street and Paradise Row to enhance traffic control.
• New Traffic Signals:
  • Route 1 Eastbound Off-Ramp (Red Rose Building): A new signal improves traffic flow and provides safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists. Motorists should be prepared to stop.
  • Main Street, Metcalf Street, and Simonds Street: This intersection now includes vehicle detection technology. Left turns from Main Street onto Metcalf Street are no longer permitted.
• Bike Boxes: Green-painted zones at intersections provide cyclists with a safe space to wait. Drivers must stop ahead of these boxes.
• Cross Rides: Green-painted crossings highlight bike crossing zones and improve visibility for drivers.
• New Yield Condition: Vehicles turning right from Union Street onto Main Street must now yield.

Improvements for Cyclists:

• Protected Bike Lanes: Installed alongside vehicle lanes for safer cycling.
• Bike Boxes and Signals: At Main Street, Metcalf Street, and Simonds Street intersection, cyclists must wait in designated bike boxes and obey traffic signals. Left-turn bike boxes are provided for safe turning.
• Bike Detection: Overhead sensors at key intersections activate bike signals when cyclists stop at designated areas.
• Multi-Use Paths: Installed in both directions:
  • Eastbound across the Viaduct
  • Westbound between Metcalf Street and Lansdowne Avenue
  • Cyclists should use the lane closest to traffic.
• Reminder: Cyclists must follow all traffic laws, including stopping at red lights and stop signs, yielding when required, and using hand signals when turning.

Enhanced Safety for Pedestrians:

• Audible Pedestrian Signals were installed at the Main Street and Metcalf Street and Route 1 Eastbound Ramp intersections.
• Tactile Walking Surface Indicators have been added to all major crossings to assist visually impaired pedestrians.
• New Crosswalk Beacon: A Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon with audible tones was installed at the Route 1 Westbound ramp crossing on the Viaduct.
• Multi-Use Paths: Clearly marked paths separate pedestrian and cyclist zones. Pedestrians should stay to the outer edge of the path.

The City encourages all road users to familiarize themselves with the new features and follow posted signage and signals. Educational materials and diagrams are available at www.saintjohn.ca.

Here to help – For inquiries related to municipal services, contact the City of Saint John Customer Service Centre at (506) 658-4455, email service@saintjohn.ca or visit us in person on the Ground Floor of City Hall, 15 Market Square, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

Source City of Saint John