Chemainus Road Corridor Upgrade Project

North Cowichan is upgrading a portion of Chemainus Road between Henry and Victoria Roads to improve the accessibility and safety of this main road. The Chemainus Road upgrade project was first proposed and envisioned by the community through the development of the 2011 Chemainus Town Centre Revitalization Plan and will occur in phases. 

Latest Updates:

(September 24, 2020) With the Chemainus Road Corridor Upgrade Project moving toward completion, construction crews will require lane closures that will affect portions of Chemainus and River Roads. In this phase of construction, Milestone Contracting will be installing concrete curbs, sidewalks, and lights and will be carrying out landscaping and asphalt paving.

Beginning September 28 to approximately October 23, Chemainus Road will be closed periodically to southbound traffic, between River Road and the Henry Road Roundabout. A detour will be in place via Front Street for one-way, southbound traffic only. Around October 26 to November 13, River Road will be closed periodically in both directions, between Front Street and Chemainus Road. A detour will be in place via Front Street for two-way, alternating traffic. Residents and commuters in this area should expect varying delays, lasting possibly 10 to 25 minutes each way. Electronic message boards will be used to help with traffic management and provide commuters with current information on detours and delays.

Stage 1 and 2 detour maps can be found and downloaded HERE [PDF - 721 KB]

Construction Timeline Information:

CopCan Civil Ltd. was awarded the tender for Phase One of this project which kicked off in mid-November 2019 and largely consisted of upgrading underground utilities. Additional road-widening work was carried out that required lands to be acquired from Western Forest Products and Mosaic Timber Management. In January 2020, an agreement allowing North Cowichan to acquire these lands was reached allowing the project to move forward. Phase One construction was completed in mid-June 2020, despite the challenge posed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

At the end of June, Milestone Contracting was awarded the tender for Phase Two of this project and work began shortly thereafter. This phase of the project will include a new roundabout, sidewalk, paved bike lanes, and newly paved roadway; landscaping and rain gardens; new signage; new fencing on the east side of Chemainus Road; and more.

Construction will usually end at 5:30 pm each day and not occur on weekends unless it is absolutely necessary. Every effort will be made to keep both lanes open at all times, including the use of detours and alternating traffic where applicable. However, during this phase of the project, residents and commuters can expect some disruptions, including single-lane traffic, minor delays, and detours. 

Additional Information:

 

For more information: 
John Dehoop
Manager, Infrastructure and Engineering 
T 250.746.3174
E john.dehoop@northcowichan.ca

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