Improvement Projects Updates
1. South Downtown Waterfront
In 2019, construction work was completed of approximately 1km of interim waterfront walkway on 1 Port Drive. The construction work included new asphalt surfacing, new LED trailway lighting, new benches and waste receptacles. The walkway is now open to the public and allows users to walk or cycle between downtown and cruise ship terminal. Although the walkway is only built to an interim standard at this time, it allows users to access an area of the waterfront that was on private land and inaccessible.
2. Interim Shipyard Detour
Engineering design work has been started for the interim detour around the Nanaimo Shipyard at 1040 Stewart Avenue. The construction of the project is being combined with other underground utility upgrades in the area. Tendering of the combined construction projects is currently scheduled for Fall 2020 so construction can be completed in Spring 2021.
3. Departure Bay
In early 2018, the City retained a design consultant team to complete site investigation work and a Functional Design for the Northfield Creek segment. The scope of this work included a 7m wide elevated walkway structure that extended from the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal to the White Eagle Terrace trail that comes down from the Cilaire neighbourhood. The completed report provided an estimated construction cost that was significantly greater than the conceptual cost estimate included in the Implementation Plan. This resulted in the City postponing the start of detailed engineering design until estimated costs where studied further.
In December 2018, the City engaged a consultant team to complete a value engineering study to review the Functional Design and identify opportunities to reduce construction costs and risks, and improve constructability. The study identified cost savings opportunities with the elevated walkway design, but also presented 3 alternative walkway design concepts that, in their opinion, could significantly reduce cost and risk, and provide greater opportunity for environmental enhancement.
In May of 2019, the City awarded a contract to have a Feasibility Study and Functional Design Report completed to further investigate the 3 alternative walkway design concepts that where presented in the value engineering. This contract will review the feasibility of an on beach walkway from BC Ferries Departure Bay Ferry Terminal to Battersea Road. Work is well underway and the goal is to have the functional design report, including preliminary details and costs, complete by late spring 2020. The findings will then be presented to Council and further direction on the project will be sought at that time.