Work in the Fairbanks Road area of Cowichan Bay will soon begin to deal with damage caused by the atmospheric river flooding event that occurred in November, 2021.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has awarded a contract of more than $2 million to Milestone Equipment Contracting Inc. of Nanaimo to complete the flood-recovery work, which is scheduled to begin in January.
The project will include geotechnical-stabilization work, the removal of slide debris and the placing of rip rap, along with upgrading the existing drainage culvert, and the creation of a new continuous drainage pipe system to safely move drainage water to the shore.
A temporary barge landing will also be built to support the contractor in accessing the slope and moving equipment.
The slope will also be repopulated with salvaged or native plants.
"People in our region need safe roads that they can count on to get where they’re going," said Toporowski. "This work helps restore and recover areas that have been impacted by flooding and make them safer for future travel."
The ministry has worked with Transport Canada for approval of the temporary barge landing and has received Fisheries and Oceans Canada authorization for the work.
Environmental mitigation measures are also in place for all in-water works.
For worker safety, construction can only take place during favourable weather in this geo-technically complex area.
Construction is expected to be completed by late March, but weather delays could impact the schedule.
The work will be managed accordingly and in communication with the DFO if the completion timeline extends.
