York Street Reconstruction
Overview:
The County of Prince Edward is undertaking a road reconstruction project on York Street in Picton, from Picton Main Street to Mary Street. The project will begin in the Fall of 2025. The work is expected to be completed by the spring of 2026.
The project will include:
- Replacement of a large sanitary sewer and installation of a new watermain along with a new roadway, curbs, and sidewalk.
This project is a high priority because of the deteriorating condition of a large trunk sanitary sewer that runs underneath York Street. If the sewer fails, staff will have to install a by-pass pump with a large generator running 24/7. The cost of the sewer by-pass would be approximately $17,000 per month.
In addition to replacing the existing sanitary sewer, the project includes replacing the watermain, installing a new asphalt roadway and sidewalk, and adding a curb and storm sewer to accommodate the curb.
Budget information:
- Budget year: 2024
- Tendered budget approved: $816,000
Project Status:
Construction
The contract for this project has been awarded to Cobourg Development Services Ltd. Construction began on October 20, 2025.
Project Updates
Update #4 Single-lane closure on Picton Main Street April 13-17
The eastbound lane of Picton Main Street near the intersection of York Street will be closed from Monday, April 13 until Friday, April 17.
Temporary traffic signals will ensure one lane of traffic always remains open on Picton Main Street. Drivers who wish to avoid the lane closure will be directed to use Walton Street, King Street, and Paul Street.
This closure is required as part of the York Street reconstruction project. As the contractor installs the cast in place pipe (CIPP) liner and improves an existing manhole, sanitary by-pass pumping is necessary on Picton Main Street.
After the CIPP liner is installed, the contractor will immediately undertake the surface works on York Street. No permanent lane closures on Picton Main Street are anticipated for this work; however, traffic may be delayed for short periods of time as equipment and materials enter and exit the street. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic during these short disruptions.
The project is currently scheduled to be completed by the end of May 2026.
The municipality originally anticipated the lane closure on Picton Main Street would be much longer in duration. However, staff worked with the contractor to limit the lane closure to one week. Investigations into the condition of the existing pipe segment adjacent to Picton Main Street determined that it was suitable to use CIPP liner as no structural defects were discovered. The existing manhole adjacent to the Picton Main Street sidewalk was also investigated further and does not require replacement; however, internal modifications and improvements will be undertaken.
Update issued on March 27, 2026
Update #3 Mary Street closure to take place from Monday, November 3 until Wednesday, November 5
The full closure of Mary Street between Elizabeth Street and East Mary Street in Picton — originally scheduled for October 27-28 — will now take place from Monday, November 3 until Wednesday, November 5.
The closure is necessary to install new sanitary and storm piping within the Mary Street and York Street intersection.
An extra day has been added to the closure due to the discovery of additional rock in the intersection.
The construction schedule is subject to change if unforeseen conditions are encountered. Updates and reminders will be shared with the public. Sign up to receive notices from the municipality and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
Update issued on October 31, 2025
Update #2 Mary Street closure postponed
The full closure of Mary Street between Elizabeth Street and East Mary Street in Picton — originally scheduled for October 27-28 — has been postponed.
The contractor, Cobourg Development Services Ltd., is postponing the closure as it waits to receive utility relocate information from Hydro One.
The closure is tentatively scheduled to occur the first week of November. Once the date is finalized, the municipality will issue a notice to the public. Sign up to receive notices from the municipality and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
The closure is necessary to install new sanitary and storm piping within the Mary Street and York Street intersection.
Update issued on October 24, 2025
Update #1 Work on York Street project begins October 20
Work on the York Street reconstruction project in Picton will begin on Monday, October 20.
The contractor, Cobourg Development Services Ltd., will start setting up equipment and installing signage on October 20. York Street between Picton Main Street and Mary Street will be closed except for local traffic. Flaggers will be on site to direct local traffic and construction activities. Limited traffic interruptions on Picton Main Street can be expected to accommodate construction activities.
Excavation work will start on Monday, October 27. Crews will begin work at York Street and Mary Street and work their way toward Picton Main Street. The contractor will also install temporary water service and a sewer bypass pump. Minimal noise and odours can be expected during bypass pumping of the sewer.
Other key project dates include:
- December 1 – December 12: Closure of eastbound lane of Picton Main Street. Temporary traffic signals will ensure one lane of traffic always remains open. Signage will direct drivers to an alternate route around the construction using Walton Street, King Street, and Paul Street.
- December 5: New watermain in service and temporary water service removed
- December 12: Winter shutdown. No work will take place during the winter months. A combination of base asphalt and temporary asphalt will be installed on York Street to allow for winter control and snow removal operations
- April 14-17: Closure of eastbound lane of Picton Main Street. The contractor will be installing the cast in place pipe (CIPP) liner and improving an existing maintenance hole. Sanitary by-pass pumping on Picton Main Street is necessary during this work.
- April 20 – May 29, 2026: Curb, sidewalk and surface paving. Project completion and demobilization
The construction schedule is subject to change if unforeseen conditions are encountered. Updates and reminders will be shared with the public. Sign up to receive notices from the municipality and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
Originally published on October 17, 2025. Updated March 27, 2026 to reflect construction schedule changes.
Additional Information
Public Engagement:
The municipality hosted a public information centre (PIC) for this project on Thursday, June 19.
At the PIC, the municipality:
- Presented and reviewed the detailed designs for the project
- Provided local residents with more information about potential impacts of the project
- Gathered input from residents about the project
Accessibility:
The municipality considered accessibility issues during the detailed design of the project. A handrail will be installed on the steepest of the hill on York Street to assist pedestrians.
Further actions to make the sidewalk more accessible were examined but not incorporated into this project. The design team determined that the sidewalk cannot be altered to meet accessibility standards due to the slope of the existing street and adjacent driveways, buildings and access points. Rumble strips on the roadway were not included because they are typically used as traffic calming measures and would create noise pollution. In addition, rumble strips on the sidewalk would make it more difficult for people using walkers, wheelchairs or strollers to navigate the hill.
The accessible route between Delhi Park and the downtown core is along Elizabeth Street, as identified in the Delhi Park Community Connections Active Transportation Plan that was prepared by VTLA Studio in consultation with staff and the public.