Central Avenue Rebuild

About the Project:

The Central Avenue Rebuild project involves a full reconstruction of Central Avenue, including:

• New water and wastewater piping and associated infrastructure.
• Replacement of an existing wastewater lift station located at the Central Avenue trail crossing.
• Improved sidewalks, multi-use paths, and crosswalks.
• Streetscape and beautification enhancements.
• A fully reconstructed roadway with upgraded stormwater systems, delivered in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works.

To learn more about these project elements, check out the glossary of terms here.

Project Location Timeline:The project will be completed in phases over approximately two kilometres of Central Avenue, Inverness.

Phase One:

• Extends from the intersection of Broad Cove Banks Road to James Street.
• Construction is expected to begin in early July and continue through December 2026.

Future Phases:

• Planned to continue from James Street to the Inverness County Centre for the Arts (ICCA) driveway and include additional infrastructure upgrades, such as a new wastewater lift station at the ICCA driveway.
• The timing and scope of future phases will depend on market volatility and contractor availability.

Project Timeline

• Tender issued: April 20, 2026
• Tender closed: May 15, 2026
• Tender awarded: May 22, 2026
• Phase One kick-off: Late June 2026
• Phase One completion: December 2026

What Residents Can Expect

Construction will create temporary impacts for residents, businesses, commuters, and visitors. The Municipality will work closely with the contractor to minimize disruptions wherever possible and maintain access to homes, businesses, and community facilities throughout construction.

From Monday to Friday, traffic control measures will begin at 6:30 a.m., with roadwork starting at 7 a.m. (previously 8 a.m.). Work is expected to conclude each day by 5 p.m., unless unforeseen circumstances require additional time.

Why this Project is Needed:

A 2019 assessment of the Municipality’s water and wastewater systems identified significant concerns with aging infrastructure along the corridor.

The assessment found that key infrastructure assets had reached the end of their service life and were at increasing risk of failure. Without replacement, these conditions could lead to service disruptions, environmental impacts, and public health concerns.

Central Avenue Rebuild Project Benefits

Once complete, the project will provide:

• Reliable water and wastewater services.
• Reduced risk of service interruptions and infrastructure failures.
• Improved pedestrian safety and accessibility.
• Enhanced streetscape and community appearance.
• Increased infrastructure capacity to support future growth and development.

Project Partners & Responsibilities (to date):

• Design – Water/Wastewater & Storm Systems: R.V. Anderson Ltd.
• Design – Streetscaping & Active Transportation: Englobe Corp. & Upland Planning & Design
• Road Reconstruction & Storm Infrastructure Replacement: Nova Scotia Department of Public Works
• General Contractor: Brilun Construction Ltd.

Permit & Oversight Agencies

This project is highly regulated, and several permits have been secured from various agencies, including:

• Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board
• Nova Scotia Department of Environment & Climate Change
• Nova Scotia Department of Public Works
• Nova Scotia Power
• Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans

In addition, archaeological monitoring will take place as required based on a completed Archaeological Resources Impact Assessment in alignment with federal funding program requirements.

The municipality has reached out to engage with private property owners impacted by the project.

Project History

Central Avenue Rebuild is one component of a broader generational investment in infrastructure improvements throughout the community of Inverness. Related projects include:

• A new Inverness wastewater treatment plant – construction to be completed by fall 2026.
• Replacement of a portion of the Inverness wastewater treatment plant outfall pipe responsible for transporting treated wastewater from the Inverness wastewater treatment plant into the Gulf o St. Lawrence) – completed April 2025.

Together, these investments are helping renew aging infrastructure, improve environmental performance, enhance safety and accessibility, and support future growth in the community.

Acknowledgement of Challenges

The Municipality of Inverness County acknowledges that this is a challenging time for public-facing projects due to supply chain disruptions, market fluctuations, and contractor availability. While we strive to provide the most accurate information, please understand that project timelines, costs, and other details are subject to change. We will keep the public informed with updates as they become available.

This could be a link on the page: (Will also have an FAQ document currently being designed so could also be a link?)

Budget

This project is funded through a three-level government partnership, municipal, provincial, and federal, under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

The total for the project is $8,355,733, with the Municipality covering $1.87 million.

Glossary of Terms

Contact Us:

If you still have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out:

• Email CentralAve@invernesscounty.ca
• Call toll-free 1-866-258-0223, option 8.