By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Kenmount Hill area will continue its infrastructure makeover in 2027 after the City of Mount Pearl landed more than $5.8 million in money from the federal government.
City council voted at its September 8 public meeting to enter a cost-sharing agreement for the Kenmount Hill Phase 1 – Holden Street Upgrading, which comes with $5,845,012 in federal funding. Council agreed, for its part, to provide $1,753,503, HST included, and accept responsibility to fully fund any cost overruns.
The project consists of replacement and upgrading of underground water, sanitary and storm lines to accommodate future development on Kenmount Hill and the replacement and upgrading of the existing water and sanitary easement between Holden Street, Ingerman Street and Farrell Drive.
“Due to the extent of the underground work, replacement of all above ground assets including the street, curb and sidewalk are also included for replacement as part of the scope of this project,” said councillor Mark Rice.
Council applied for the federal money in October 2025 and received a project approval letter August 4 from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, the provincial department which oversees the funding to towns and cities. Design work for the project has been finalized with only minor design and specification modifications required to start the tendering phase this fall.
Construction is projected to start in early 2027 and to be substantially completed in the 2028 construction season. Professional consultant services are under an existing contract signed on October 4, 2024, with CBCL Ltd.
“Yes, this is great news. I know people in the area must be a little tired of construction in the area,” said councillor Bill Antle. “We have so much construction in that area. It’s going to be great when it’s done.”
As part of the agreement, council acknowledged that surplus funds in the project cannot be used for any additional work.