Two midtown construction projects in Beban Park area move forward September 6

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed September 2, 2022 10:30 AM

Summary

Both the Midtown Water Supply Project and the Midtown Gateway Project are about to get underway in the Bowen Road / Northfield Road / Beban Park area, and will at times be disruptive with noise, restricted access and occasional traffic delays.

The Midtown Water Supply Project broke ground earlier this summer, and beginning Tuesday, September 6, machinery will be on site and construction will take place on the Beban Park grounds Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

During working hours, vehicle traffic to, from and within Beban Park may be impacted. In an effort to protect the public and provide a safe working area, certain areas of the park will be fenced off and restricted for all non-construction personnel. Please pay attention to traffic control personnel and temporary detour routes, and obey all posted warning signs.

Beban Pool, Leisure Centre, both arenas and outdoor facilities all remain open and accessible.

This multi-year upgrade to Nanaimo's critical infrastructure will form the backbone of our water supply from College Heights to North Nanaimo. To learn more about this project, please visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownWater.

Meanwhile, across Bowen Road, the Midtown Gateway Project is moving into Phase 2A. This project is transforming a legacy brownfield site impacted by historic industrial activity into a revitalized neighbourhood gateway, including a new transportation network that will alleviate pressure on the Bowen/Northfield intersection and increase the safety and comfort for people who walk, bike, take transit and drive.

The first phase of this project, completed in 2019 included environmental remediation, initial ground improvements and construction of a new engineered wetland, restoring the lake lost to industrial activity. Construction work on this next phase will start with rapid impact compaction over the future roadways; a specialized soil compaction technique that involves using an excavator with a hydraulic hammer to repeatedly strike an impact plate and densify underlying soils.

While the rapid impact compaction process won’t cause significant traffic delays or detours, it will be noticeably loud. Rapid impact compaction work will take place on and off throughout September, Mondays through Saturdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Once fully complete, the Midtown Gateway Project will improve functionality, livability and overall character of the neighbourhood while stimulating further reinvestment in the area. For more information about the Midtown Gateway Project, including a schedule for rapid impact compaction activity, please visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownGateway.

Link to Strategic Plan: These projects support a livable Nanaimo.

Key Points

Beginning Tuesday, September 6, the Midtown Water Supply Project and the Midtown Gateway Project will see construction work in the Bowen Road / Northfield Road / Beban Park area. Residents and commuters can expect disruptions, restricted access at Beban Park and occasional traffic delays.
Work on the Midtown Water Supply Project in Beban Park will take place Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Rapid impact compaction at the Midtown Gateway will take place on and off throughout September, Monday through Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Quotes

"These two significant projects are all about flow; the flow of water and the flow of traffic. While inconveniences like construction noise and traffic delays will be front and center for a short while, in the long run, these projects are an important part of Nanaimo’s resiliency and growth."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

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Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

media.requests@nanaimo.ca

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