Progress on the Columbia Avenue project continues to progress with the project contractor completing water service installations and beginning to install the lines for Shaw, Telus, and electrical utilities.
Over the next week, you can expect to see:
• FortisBC upgrading gas services
• Removal of old water and gas mains between 24th Street and 22nd Street
• Road excavation to build up the final road structure south of 21st Street
• Shallow utility installation (FortisBC electrical, Telus, Shaw) starting at 20th Street, heading south
One feature of the project you would never know is there, because it is out of sight, is the use of “soil cells.” These are installed under the sidewalk around the new trees. These cells capture rainwater from the street and catch basins, reducing pollution in the storm water system, watering street trees, and also giving them more room to grow.
Traffic
The detour taking northbound traffic from Columbia Avenue to 6th Avenue will remain in place until the project is complete. Improvements have been made to the detour in response to resident requests, including adding signage and requesting additional flagging.
During the detour, drivers are asked to be courteous and let people in from side streets and driveways and to avoid blocking driveways to homes and businesses and entrances to Ambulance and Fire Halls .
The city has noticed increased traffic volumes through the construction zone as the weather has improved and warns you may may experience slightly longer waits.
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