Construction Underway For Courtenay’s Puntledge Area Sewer Upgrade

Construction is underway to replace the aging sanitary sewer infrastructure in Courtenay’s Puntledge neighbourhood.

The upgrade of the 60-year-old lift station on 1st Street at the entrance to Puntledge Park means traffic and parking impacts.

Work should be complete by November.

The project will increase sewer capacity for the area, mitigate operational risks and lower ongoing maintenance costs.

Chris Davidson, Director of Engineering Services at the City of Courtenay, says the current lift station has reached the end of its service life.

A primary focus during construction will be protecting fish habitat, including ecosystems which support the endangered Morrison Creek lamprey.

Davidson says the City had originally hoped to do this project over the fall and winter to avoid the busy summer season in the park, but the increased costs associated with doing this work over the rainy season would have been significant.

Mitigating erosion and sediment in the fall and winter, and other related construction challenges, would have added roughly $1 million to the project budget.

As the public washrooms at the park will be closed during construction, temporary washrooms will be provided.

Traffic impacts on 1st Street from Menzies to Willemar Avenues are expected throughout the duration of the project, with extended periods of single lane alternating traffic.

Puntledge Park will remain accessible to the public at all times.

The total project budget is approximately $ 4.0 million, to be funded from a combination of long-term borrowing and reserves.

To learn more and for project updates please visit City of Courtenay.

For the full media release visit Puntledge Construction.