Construction for Crosstown Shared-Use Path Project to Begin

The City of St. John’s is making progress on the development of the Crosstown Shared-Use Path (SUP). Work will begin on eastern section of the route, from Portugal Cove Road to Logy Bay Road, on July 16.

Construction will start near Macdonald Drive Elementary, with concurrent work also taking place in the Kenny’s Pond area near Portugal Cove Road. From there, construction will move eastward from Toronto Street to Logy Bay Road. This work will continue through December 2025, with final surface paving scheduled for spring 2026. Traffic delays, sidewalk closures and lane reductions will be required while work is ongoing.

The Crosstown SUP has been designed with strong input from the community. Public engagement began in 2023 and helped shape key design elements, including path alignment, surface materials, trailheads and rest areas, lighting, crosswalks, signals, and wayfinding features. The goal is to create an accessible, inclusive, and connected route that reflects the needs of residents.

The shared-use path will be approximately three metres wide and paved, offering a safe and accessible surface for people of all ages and abilities. It will accommodate walking, cycling, scooting, stroller use, and mobility aids, and connect to existing active transportation routes throughout the city. The new path will replace sidewalks in areas along the route, while also aligning or upgrading existing trails.

To complete this work, removal of some trees and shrubs will be required along the shared-use path route. However, new trees and shrubs will be replanted as part of this project. An Arborist is involved to ensure that landscape plans, removals, replanting, transplanting and tree protection along the project route are completed according to industry best practices.

Design work is ongoing for other areas of the Crosstown SUP, which will extend the path westward from Portugal Cove Road to the T’railway in Bowring Park. While portions of the path have existed for over a decade, the City is now focused on filling in the gaps and completing the full route.

Developing a connected active transportation network is a key action in the City’s strategic plan, Our City, Our Future, and directly supports our goal of building and maintaining a safe, accessible system for all residents and visitors. Planning and construction of several additional shared-use path projects have been advanced to enhance citywide connectivity and support safe, multi-modal transportation for pedestrians and cyclists.

For more information and updates, follow this project at EngageStJohns.ca or subscribe to receive traffic updates directly to your email.