On Thursday, November 27, Champlain Township Council began discussing a significant 2026 budget item that will see the reconstruction of Vankleek Hill’s Main Street begin in early 2027. Council supported Director of Public Works Maxime Lafrance’s recommendation to allocate $257,125 in the 2026 draft budget for the project’s design assessments.
The reconstruction covers approximately 1.8 kilometres of Main Street, from Terry Fox Drive to approximately 450 metres west of Pendleton Street, as shown in the image below.
Lafrance noted that the design assessments total $459,250, with Champlain Township responsible for $257,125. The remaining $202,125 will be covered by the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, which has already included the amount in its 2026 budget.
Mayor Normand Riopel said, “There is a big cost related to this project, but if we want to develop and grow, it needs to be realigned properly. That includes sewage, drainage, sidewalks, topography, and so on.”
Construction costs are currently estimated to be between $4 and $5 million, with a refined total to come following the design assessments. Champlain’s share of costs would include underground infrastructure, sidewalks, and street parking, if applicable.
Numerous complaints received from residents about Main Street’s deteriorating condition prompted the UCPR and Champlain Township to reassess the roadway. Staff found pavement ranging from 16 to 30 years old, an undersized storm sewer system, and a sanitary sewer system incapable of supporting projected developmental growth.
The sidewalks were also found to fall short of required accessibility standards.
Lafrance reported that the design assessments should be completed by late 2026, allowing tendering to proceed and construction to begin in 2027.
Council unanimously approved the request without further discussion.
