The jury is still out about exactly what the new design of Memorial Avenue in Qualicum Beach will look like, but town engineer Bob Weir said the underground utilities need to be dealt with now, regardless.
Weir made the comments as a section of the main connector in Qualicum Beach remained closed off
“We are installing storm sewer and water distribution piping in anticipation of the eventual rebuilding of the Memorial corridor,” Weir said. “This isn’t the surface work. It’s the underground utilities that have to be done ahead of that.”
Weir said Qualicum Beach council is still undecided about exactly what form the eventual rebuilding of Memorial Ave. will take on the surface. However, he said the underground utilities have to be installed, regardless of the eventual form of the surface works and is independent of the eventual layout.
The road between Village Way and Hoy Lake Road is now blocked, but Weir said the contractor hopes to be able to keep at least one lane of traffic flowing over the course of the construction project.
“The contractor intends to maintain at least one way traffic flow, but there are some sections where it has to detour all the traffic,” he said. “Hopefully we can maintain one way flow for most of project duration.”
Weir estimated the work will be completed some time in the middle of November.