ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The province's ongoing construction work at the National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s has drawn the ire of some nearby businesses due to the unexpected closure of part of Duckworth Street, and transportation and infrastructure minister John Abbott said he understands why.
A public meeting was then held to speak with impacted stakeholders, and he says he’s since met with business owners who had concerns about the lack of consultation and some parts of the project, including the permanent loss of some parking spaces on that stretch of Duckworth Street.Reduction in parking permanent
Henley said the local businesses are in favour of increasing accessibility but are worried making that section of street narrower will have impacts beyond just the parking spaces."This is the oldest city in North America. When they designed Water Street and Duckworth Street a long, long time ago, they weren't designed for the types of vehicles we have now, so we've had to accommodate and adapt. Narrowing streets in downtown St. John's makes no sense whatsoever.
“Tuesday morning, this was totally closed off. So, tell me, how do you do business here? Tell me how the merchants get their products or suppliers into this street here today. All the trucks that deliver supplies aren't able to drive down a sidewalk. An 18-wheeler is not getting down on the sidewalk.”