Two-way traffic will resume on Capilano Road, starting Dec. 18 after being closed off to non-local traffic since September.
The Metro Vancouver project to replace a 1930s water main is 70 per cent complete, but residents may have to deal with some later and louder noise in the final push to finish construction.
District of North Vancouver council voted Nov. 16 to grant the contractor a noise bylaw variance that allows work crews to stay on site from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. But most of the work that needs to be done overnight – sandblasting and welding the pipe – will be done underground.
“We expect the (noise) to be limited to the crew removing themselves from the hatch area and going to their vehicles and dispersing,” said Steve Billington, community liaison officer for the project.
Work is expected to last until the end of December but Metro is tweaking the project to allow two-way traffic in time for the end of school before the Christmas break. The contractor will be taking statutory holidays off around Christmas as well.
While council members were wary of what residents on the Capilano corridor have had to endure, they were quick to approve the later hours.
“I’m just going to emphasize that the reason we’re granting the variance and allowing you to work is so you can actually get the job done quickly,” said Coun. Roger Bassam. “Obviously, it’s been a huge inconvenience for a lot of people living up there but it’s a necessary evil so we appreciate you making every effort to get it done as quickly as possible.”
Following completion of the Capilano Road portion, crews will begin digging a massive pit at the corner of Edgemont Boulevard to install pipes and valves for the district’s water system. That project is expected to bring new detours and last until May 2016.
