Construction is well underway on the city’s downtown revitalization project.
Motorists driving down Shoppers Row and Alder Street can get a glimpse of chewed up St. Ann’s Road, being dug up to make way for improved underground infrastructure.
To accommodate the project, traffic is being detoured off of St. Ann’s via Alder Street, down to 10th Avenue and back onto Shoppers Row where there is now a temporary, makeshift four-way stop at the intersection of Shoppers Row, Tyee Plaza and 10th Avenue.
Dubeau Street will also be closed off to traffic between St. Ann’s and Beech Street with detours via St. Ann’s Road and Beech Street.
The St. Ann’s and Dubeau street closures will be in effect through July and August.
Come September, the fall phase of the project is expected to begin and Alder Street will be closed off from Beech to 10th Avenue with detours via Beech and Dubeau.
Alder will then be closed between Beech and St. Ann’s with detours via St. Ann’s and the north end of Alder and Beech Street will be closed to all traffic between Alder and Dubeau streets with detours via the Dubeau alley and Alder.
Mayor Walter Jakeway acknowledged that the detours would be an inconvenience to businesses around the construction zone but said in the long-term the sacrifices would pay off.
“We’re very aware that this underground work will be an inconvenience to our neighbourhood this summer – traffic will be interrupted and there will be surprises when you’re re-building an aging infrastructure like we have here,” Jakeway said. “As we start construction of the St. Ann’s project we anticipate that this upgrade will provide a broad, positive impact for our downtown economic development plans. The underground upgrades will serve our entire community well into the future. As well, the landscaping and park areas will create a safer, more enhanced traffic flow for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles alike to create a destination place where people can come to congregate.”
The $4.05 million project involves a full reconstruction of the underground sewer, water and storm drainage systems as well as landscaping improvements above ground to create a more walkable, pedestrian-friendly gathering space.
The project is taking place at the same time as the construction of Seymour Pacific’s new office building which takes up an entire lot bordering St. Ann’s, Alder, Dubeau and Beech streets.
Ryan Phillips, the chair of the Downtown BIA (Business Improvement Association) said during the project’s ground breaking July 3 that the project is vital to the city.
“We must focus our efforts on the downtown because it’s the heart of our city,” Phillips said. “Downtown is a symbol of partnership between the public and private sector and a symbol of pride in our community. It’s great to see this commitment to our downtown.
“This is an exciting time for Campbell River.”
