The City of Courtenay is launching construction on a new sewer project which will protect sensitive marine habitat by decommissioning an aging sewer pipe that crosses the Courtenay River.

Construction on the Comox Road Sewer Project has been successfully awarded to Edgett Excavating, and is getting underway this month. The project will reroute sewage collection from areas around Lewis and Simms Park to a new pipe on Comox Road. Once the new pipes are installed, the existing pipe crossing the river will be decommissioned.

“This is an important, proactive effort to protect the sensitive ecosystems in and around the river and estuary,” said Adam Pitcher, Manager of Capital Projects. “We’re glad to see this project move forward knowing the long-term protection it will offer. We understand though that in the short-term, construction will be disruptive for many in the area. The City is committed to working with the contractor and coordinating schedules to reduce impact while completing the project in a timely way.”

Construction work will begin on Comox Road in mid-June and preliminary work has already started between the Highway 19A bypass and Highway 19A (bottom of 5th Street). Single-lane alternating traffic is expected on this stretch of road throughout the project period. Overnight closures of the Highway 19A bypass at Comox Road will occur in late June – more details on this are to come.

Work will continue onto Highway 19A (around Lewis Centre). Construction will be scheduled within Lewis and Simms Parks in the fall. There will be no park area disruptions during summer programming, including Canada Day celebrations.

Construction is expected to be finished in November 2024.

The City will work to keep businesses in the area informed about the project progress and anticipated disruptions. Updates will also be shared with the wider public via the project webpage, and the City’s social media accounts.

To learn more about the Comox Road Sewer Project, visit www.courtenay.ca/comoxroadsewer.

Quotes

“This is an important, proactive effort to protect the sensitive ecosystems in and around the river and estuary,” said Adam Pitcher, Manager of Capital Projects. “We’re glad to see this project move forward knowing the long-term protection it will offer. We understand though that in the short-term, construction will be disruptive for many in the area. The City is committed to working with the contractor and coordinating schedules to reduce impact while completing the project in a timely way.”