The Provincial Government provided an update today regarding the refurbishment of the National War Memorial.

In July 2022, the Provincial Government announced it would partner with the Royal Canadian Legion – NL Command, Veterans Affairs Canada and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on the refurbishment of the National War Memorial, including the repatriation of the remains of an unknown soldier from northern France. The remains will be reinterred in a specifically designed Tomb of the Unknown Solider at the National War Memorial in St. John’s. The reinternment of the remains will take place during a special ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the National War Memorial on July 1, 2024.

To provide an overview of the National War Memorial refurbishment project, the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command and the Provincial Government will host a public information session on Tuesday, August 15 at 7 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 56, Pleasantville. Anyone interested in learning more about the project is welcome to attend.

Construction – What to Expect

If you have visited downtown recently, you may have noticed that the War Memorial is being prepared for construction. The area will be closed to pedestrian traffic while work is ongoing, including adjacent sidewalks and parking on Water Street and Duckworth Street. Temporary crosswalks and signage will be implemented to help pedestrians navigate the area.

Construction related to the project will also provide the City of St. John’s an opportunity to replace aging underground infrastructure in the area. This work may cause some traffic disruption on both Duckworth Street and Water Street. Access will be maintained to businesses at all times. Planned water service outages may be required and will be coordinated with the business owners to minimize disruptions to the extent possible.

While the City will keep the public informed of any impacts to traffic in the area, this project is the responsibility of the Provincial Government. Residents with questions regarding timelines and project details are encouraged to reach out to the Provincial Government directly. Contact information can be found in the news release issued today.