The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DTI) in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Public Safety (JPS) broke ground on the new Fredericton Justice Building in December 2021. To be located on King Street between Regent Street and Carleton Street, the new courthouse was announced in the summer of 2021.
The 110,000 square foot, six storey building will provide the space required to meet the needs of our client – the Department of Justice and Public Safety and include many smart features such as cutting-edge video conferencing technology.
The new building will include an enhanced screening area, a Sheriff’s suite, and a secure holding area for persons attending court while in custody. There are 10 courtrooms serving three levels of court – the New Brunswick Court of Appeal, the Court of Kings's Bench and the Provincial Court.
Also included in the new build are spaces for:
- a hearing room;
- judicial accommodations;
- victim service;
- legal aid;
- family crown services;
- court client services;
- Crown prosecutions;
- probation services;
- RCMP/municipal police office;
- barrister’s library and suite;
- the offices of the registrar of the Court of Appeal; and,
- other related services.
The new building design is a collaborative effort that incorporates function and experience. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure provided context and operational observation from the Moncton and Saint John Courthouse buildings.
Capital costs for the project are estimated at $60 million. Construction will be completed in 2025 through a multi-phased tender process. The initial tenders will complete site preparations, foundations, and structural steel, before moving to the final building construction, commissioning, and fit-up.
The new Fredericton Justice Building is being constructed in three phases. This phasing allows for overlapping design and construction, which reduces the overall duration of the project:
Phase 1 – Site Preparations (December 2021 – May 2022) – COMPLETE
In this phase, which began in early December, the asphalt pavement was removed. Several old concrete foundations were excavated from below grade and construction site fencing and a hoarding structure over the sidewalk on King Street was installed. Preparations for laying the building’s foundation were also made.
Phase 2 – Foundations & Steel (June 2022 – Spring 2023) – COMPLETE
This phase includes the installation of the concrete foundations and the construction of the building’s steel superstructure and suspended concrete slabs.
Phase 3 – Main Contract (Spring 2023 – Spring 2025)
This will be the largest contract and will complete the construction of the building. The building is scheduled to be handed over to JPS in 2025.
