Final agreements with North Cowichan have been reached by Western Forest Products and Mosaic Forest Management on the Chemainus Road Corridor Upgrade Project.
The final pieces are thus in place for the planned improvements to proceed full speed ahead on Chemainus Road between Victoria Road and Henry Road.
“I want to recognize the hard work of our staff in acquiring this land,” noted North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring. “The decision to start the work last fall, even before the formal land acquisition was complete, has now paid off. Staff held on to the vision and kept the end goal in sight, and after nine years of discussions, this project is now set for completion.”
The improvements include road widening that necessitated the acquisition of private land on the east side of the road from Western and Mosaic.
The project was put out to tender in the fall of 2019, with two scheduled phases.
The first phase began in November 2019, with underground utility upgrades that are continuing until the spring. Great progress has been made despite constant inclement weather during the time period, with heavy rains predominating and snow hitting the region last week.
Trees are currently being removed on the newly-acquired land to facilitate completion of the new water main, Telus line relocation, fence construction and road widening with sidewalks and bicycle lanes on both sides of Chemainus Road. There will be continual disruptions to traffic, but staff and contractors are doing their best to minimize the inconvenience for residents and commuters in the area.
The second phase of the project, consisting of the above ground surface work and including the installation of a roundabout at Chemainus and River Roads, is scheduled to take about seven months. Completion of the entire project is slated for this fall.
