Bowerman Excavating owner Craig Bowerman, Port Alberni Mayor Mike Ruttan and manager of operations Wilf Taekema stand in front of the newly widened Dry Creek and newly built trail along it behind Smitty’s Restaurant.

Bowerman Excavating owner Craig Bowerman, Port Alberni Mayor Mike Ruttan and manager of operations Wilf Taekema stand in front of the newly widened Dry Creek and newly built trail along it behind Smitty’s Restaurant.

Dry Creek flood work complete

The flood mitigation work recently completed at Dry Creek will give a boost to business along lower Third Avenue

The flood mitigation work recently completed at Dry Creek will give a boost to business along lower Third Avenue, according to Port Alberni Mayor Mike Ruttan.

“I’ve spoken to many of the business owners on this part of Third Avenue and they feel much safer now,” said Ruttan of the work done by Bowerman Excavating.

“Particularly now, with increasing sever water events, this gives us tremendous comfort as a city that this area won’t get impacted by flooding on a regularly recurring basis.”

The project, which began last summer and was completed a few weeks ago, cost $2.7 million, split evenly between the three levels of governments.

According to Craig Bowerman, the work will help with flooding.

“The channel upgrades and widening and drainage improvements are going to provide better flows during the winter,” said Craig Bowerman.

“We increased the flow under Third Avenue by adding a second box culvert, almost doubling the capacity through that Third Avenue area.”

The work also included a new trail by the creek and salmon enhancement.

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Alberni Valley News