SMITHS FALLS — Smiths Falls residents brought accessibility, safety and communication concerns to council Monday night as the second phase of the George Street Reconstruction Project nears completion. Council was asked for clearer information and stronger oversight during the final stretch of work.
George Street resident Lorna Preston appeared as a delegate and submitted letters from two neighbours, Heather Currie and Ashley Finnigan, outlining months of disruption within the construction zone. The three asked council to review how the project has been managed from the perspective of those living inside the work area.
Preston described difficulty accessing her home due to shifting walkways, noise from equipment and changing conditions on the street. She told Smiths Falls council her husband has fallen twice while trying to reach their vehicle.
“I don’t know who knows what’s going on on that street, because I sure don’t, and most of the people on George Street don’t know,” she said.
She also raised concerns about a neighbour who fell on Nov. 6 while walking her dog after dark. Preston shared photos with Hometown News that show bruising to the woman’s face, including swelling around her eye, as well as gashes and scrapes on her knee.
“How would you feel if that was your mother,” she asked councillors.
Letters outline communication and access concerns
In her letter, Currie described unclear information about private water and sewer upgrades, difficulties reaching staff, and water entering her home during a heavy rainfall. She wrote that she made several attempts to obtain updates but felt responses were inconsistent. She said she’d like to hear from others who have experienced similar issues.
Finnigan’s letter supported her neighbours’ accounts and described what she called a “chaotic and inaccessible living situation” during the reconstruction period. She wrote that residents experienced stress and repeated disruptions to daily routines.
“Why do we have to complain in order to live our lives in some sort of accessible order?” Finnigan wrote.
Her examples included cracked tiles, door alignment issues, plumbing and frozen pipe concerns, temporary access changes and parking challenges. She wrote that earlier in the project some residents used temporary boards or narrow walkways to reach their homes.
Finnigan also questioned whether able-bodied workers’ personal vehicles could be moved to open up limited space for residents. She asked council to consider a temporary tax rebate for households affected by the work.
Councillors call for follow-up
Several councillors thanked Preston for appearing and said the concerns require further review.
Coun. Chris McGuire said he has found the area difficult to navigate during community events and suggested gathering detailed feedback through a post-project survey. Preston told Hometown News she supported that idea.
Coun. Dawn Quinn thanked Preston for bringing the concerns forward. “You’ve come here tonight, so you’ve made us involved, and now we need answers,” she said, adding that there didn’t seem to be as many issues brought forward during Phase 1 of construction as there had been this time.
Mayor Shawn Pankow said staff will return “as early as next week, or as soon as possible” with information responding to the issues raised. “It’s given us a better understanding of what we didn’t have before,” he said.
Director outlines remaining work
Director of Public Works and Utilities Paul McMunn provided an update on the project moments later. He acknowledged the challenges of late-season construction but said work is “progressing well” despite early winter conditions.
Phase 2 began in June at a cost of $1.98 million, awarded as the lowest of three bids received through the RFP process. The other bids were $2.6 million from R.W. Tomlinson Ltd. and $2.78 million from Ingimundson Construction Ltd. Phase One, completed in 2024, cost $2 million and was awarded to Campbell’s Trucking Ltd.
McMunn said concrete work is expected to finish this week. Base asphalt is planned for Nov. 26, with topcoat paving scheduled for Nov. 27 and 28, weather permitting. Driveway reinstatements are planned for Dec. 1 and 2, and sod work is expected to continue into the week of Dec. 4.
He reminded residents that winter parking rules are in effect and said temporary construction parking passes are available through bylaw enforcement for anyone unable to access their driveway overnight.
McMunn said access will remain limited during paving and that the town will instruct the contractor to “step up” communication with residents about temporary closures.
The contractor is aiming for substantial completion around Dec. 4, though McMunn noted that weather, subcontractor timing and other variables could affect the schedule.
Background on the project
The George Street reconstruction is part of a multi-year plan to upgrade a key north–south connector west of Beckwith Street.
Phase 1, completed in 2024, replaced water, sewer and storm infrastructure and added new curbs and accessible sidewalks between Strathcona and William streets. Phase 2 extends those upgrades another 290 metres from William Street West to Gladstone Avenue, including full replacement of underground services and accessible sidewalk design.
Town officials said the work involves rock removal, excavation and heavy equipment, and acknowledge these activities can cause noise and traffic disruption. They thanked residents for their patience as the project nears completion.
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