Paving is finished and a section of Seventh Avenue in Front of City Hall has reopened. The city says the enhanced streetscape will improve walkability in the downtown area.
Over the weekend, contracted crews working for the city repaved a section of road from the entrance to City Hall to the intersection with Sixth Avenue and George Street, which has been closed to traffic since late last year.
During the course of the project, crews have replaced, repaired or removed old underground utilities and other infrastructure and installed additional new features both above and below ground.
The improvements are related to the construction of a new city parkade and the Park House condominium development across from City Hall.
“Council is very excited to see this scenic and historic downtown road re-opened, and we are pleased that the construction was used as an opportunity to upgrade and replace deteriorating infrastructure,” says Mayor Lyn Hall in a news release.
“Along with the new City parkade, Park House Condominiums, and the other exciting upcoming developments on George Street such the recently announced Primex Properties condos, this new streetscape promises to increase walkability, beautify our city, and enhance this wonderful public gathering place for the increased enjoyment of residents and visitors.”
The city says it’s been working with local contractors to reroute the storm drainage system and upgrade and reroute the sanitary sewer.
As part of the project, an entirely new sewer line was installed across Queensway and along Lower Patricia to provide the increased capacity that is needed for further growth downtown.
The operation has included:
- The installation of a new watermain, including the relocation of service connections to existing buildings;
- Constructing a wider sidewalk on the north side of Seventh Avenue and a new sidewalk on the south side;
- Installing irrigation to the new planters in front of City Hall;
- Planting new trees on the north side of 7th Avenue;
- Constructing a new frontage for the Cenotaph at Veterans Plaza;
- Installing a new curb and gutter on 7th Avenue and on all four corners of the intersection of 6th and 7th Avenue and George Street and;
- Installation of bollards along the front of the Cenotaph.
Construction has involved weaving new infrastructure through existing pipes, the Downtown Renewable Energy System, and services from other utilities such as Telus, Fortis, and B.C. Hydro. The city says in all cases, services had to be maintained while work was underway.
Crews also removed decommissioned infrastructure that still remained underground, including the remnants of an old wooden pipe used to distribute water many years ago.
The excavation along Seventh Avenue also provided the opportunity for the city to replace an old watermain in front of City Hall. Made of cast iron pipe and about 60 years old, this watermain had been rated by the city as “very high risk” for failure.
The city says workers still have some work left to do this year involving the addition of a new planter and concrete to complete the frontage on the northwest and southwest corners of the intersection of Sixth and Seventh Avenue and George Street and later this fall, new street lights will be installed along Seventh Avenue.
