The City of Courtenay is preparing to repair the sheet pile retaining wall in the Courtenay River next to the 400-block of Anderton Avenue. The repairs will consist of the placement of a rocked structure in the Courtenay River in front of the existing sheet pile retaining wall.
Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 25, 2016 with a planned completion date of Monday, August 15, 2016. Construction activities will have major impacts on the surrounding area.
City CAO David Allen says this is a large project that will result in traffic detours, construction noise, and possibly vibration.
“We are advising area residents to prepare for disruption in the coming weeks. We are dealing with a critical repair, and there is some serious work ahead. We ask residents for their patience and understanding while crews perform this work.”
The work must be completed within the “fish window” approved by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans – the period of lowest risk to the natural environment. Work must also take place at low tide, twice daily, and therefore will be ongoing 24 hours a day.
The in-stream work, which is scheduled to occur between August 1 and 10, is expected to be the most disruptive. There will be significant noise related to this activity, bright lights, and vibration from equipment movement and rock placement. Although every reasonable effort will be made to minimize the impact of this necessary construction operation, disruption will be unavoidable.
During the entire construction period, Anderton will be closed from the entrance just off the 5th Street Bridge, to just north of the Florence Filberg Centre. The lower Filberg parking lot will be closed; patrons will need to use the upper parking lot. Riverside Fit Park will also be closed.
Lighting will be located on both sides of the river, including in Lewis Park near the bridge. Access to the river from the stairs in Lewis Park nearest the 5th Street Bridge will be restricted during this time. The stairs further north will remain open.
Recreational river users are asked to give the project a wide berth to ensure the work can be completed as quickly and smoothly as possible.
“This will be an active construction zone,” advised Allen. “We know how much people enjoy using the river, especially during the height of summer. We’re asking everyone to please stay as far away as possible from the work area, especially just north of the 5th Street Bridge. If you must pass by the construction zone, keep a safe distance and stay close to the Lewis Park side of the river.”
Several bus routes will be detoured around the construction zone, including 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 34. The bus stop on Anderton will be closed for the duration of the construction period. Transit pickup and drop-off will be temporarily moved to the exchange on Cliffe Avenue and 4th Street, next to the Courtenay Museum.
The City is working with the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, & Natural Resources Operations and the Department of Fisheries & Oceans to acquire all necessary permits. This rocked structure will stabilize the wall while longer-term, permanent repairs are designed. The project budget is $365,000, including construction, engineering, and 30 percent contingency. A permanent solution is expected within the next five years.
To find out more about the project, visit www.courtenay.ca/andertonwall. For further information, contact City of Courtenay Engineering at 250-334-4441 or email engineering@courtenay.ca