Crews replacing a sewer main at Tranquille and Desmond. (Photo via City of Kamloops)

The City of Kamloops says its application for $12.6 million in federal-provincial grant funding for Phase 3 of the Tranquille Sanitary Sewer Upgrade Project was successful.

Phase 1 of the project along Tranquille Road, west of Crestline towards Kamloops Airport was completed in 2017, while Phase 2 between Southill Street and 12th Street was completed in 2021.

In addition to replacing the sewer main between Southill and Crestline, the city says Phase 3 of the project will see further upgrades like pedestrian paths, landscaping, as well as intersection and boulevard improvements along the Tranquille Corridor.

Capital Projects Manager Matt Kachel says the federal government will pay $6.9 million of the total project’s cost, with the provincial government picking up approximately $5.8 million. The city will cover the rest of cost related to active transportation and beautification through a mix of sewer levies, taxation, and debt.

City estimates in 2020 pegged the total cost of Phase 3 at about $16.4 million in 2025 dollars, allowing for inflationary increases of 3 per cent per year. At this time, it is not clear if those costs have increased due to the ongoing economic situation.

According to the city, the sewer main along Tranquille Road – which extends from Aviation Way to 12th Street – services approximately 39,000 people, making it “one of the city’s most critical sewer mains.”

“The trunk main is nearing the end of its life and requires replacement and increased capacity,” the city said, in a statement.