5th Street Complete Street Construction Contract Awarded

The City of Courtenay has awarded the construction contract for the 5^th Street Complete Street Pilot Project to Copcan Civil Limited of Nanaimo, BC.

Five qualified firms submitted tenders for this project. Copcan Civil Limited was the lowest bidder on the tender, at $2,911,616. This is within the budgeted amount covered by the grant from the Gas Tax Fund, under the Strategic Priorities Fund - Local Roads, Bridges and Active Transportation category. Work is expected to start within the next four weeks and be completed by the end of 2018.

Extensive public input has informed the Complete Street pilot project, including open houses, surveys, meetings with stakeholder groups, and temporary modifications to the intersection at 5^th Street and Fitzgerald Avenue in 2017 to test the configuration of the new design. As specific details of the project construction schedule evolve, the City of Courtenay will work with the project contractor to keep residents and businesses in the work zone informed as the project progresses. 

The 5th Street Complete Street Pilot Project will include a substantial overhaul of above-ground and below-ground infrastructure on 5th Street between Fitzgerald and Menzies Avenues. Once completed, the project will significantly improve walking and cycling routes along the corridor.

A “complete street” meets the needs of all road users including people in cars, on bikes, on foot, and on the bus. When completed, 5th Street - between Fitzgerald and Menzies Avenues - will have:

• Two freshly paved vehicle lanes 
• Bike lanes physically separated from vehicle traffic
• Improved accessibility for strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs
• Parking between Fitzgerald and Harmston, and alternating parking and rain gardens throughout the remainder of the corridor
• Innovative stormwater management to improve drainage
• New water, sewer, and storm utility mains

For more information: www.courtenay.ca/completestreet