The City of Prince Rupert has been hard at work on several major infrastructure projects and has issued a comprehensive update to residents.
The city said it continues to face challenges with maintaining consistent water quality. The city has been taking steps to improve the water quality such as flushing systems. City staff are working with outside experts to resolve this issue but said they can’t give an accurate timeline on when it will be fixed.
Starting mid-September the city will be working on a capital paving project to pave the roads of Bacon Street, Borden Street, Piggot Avenue, Overlook Street, Herman Street and Rushbrook Avenue, Taylor Street, Ninth Avenue West, Lotibiniere Street, Eighth Avenue East, Omineca Avenue, and Crestview Drive. Once paving begins, residents in affected areas will be alerted about parking by the contractor.
On First Street the city is working on excavating the roadway due to a water main failure. Work is being done to design a solution before construction can start.
The city started a project in August on Park Avenue to treat the wastewater wetland in preparation of the new wastewater treatment facility that was announced on Sept. 12. Construction will have minor impacts to pedestrian access to the Moresby Pond Trail.
The Rushbrook outfall rerouting project work is continuing, affecting primarily parking. This project will prepare the area for future wastewater treatment including the removal of a stormwater outfall beneath the Rushbrook floats.
The last project that the city provided an update on is the Big Infrastructure Gap (BIG) Project. The BIG project has already replaced infrastructure for 77 homes around the city. The city has a budget of $193 million for the BIG project and has spent 23 per cent of that. 10 per cent of the work has been completed with 77 per cent of the budget remaining for the less expensive projects.
The BIG project will improve the lives of residents, said the city.
“We know the BIG Project brings short-term inconvenience, but it’s an unprecedented
investment in our city’s future. We appreciate the community’s patience as we continue
building a safer, stronger, and more reliable water system for generations to come.”
