There will be a two-week closure to a section of Lansdowne Street in downtown Kamloops as a lengthy sewer main replacement project moves to the fourth phase on Monday, Sept. 23.

The City of Kamloops says the 500-block of Lansdowne Street as well as the intersection of 5th Avenue and Lansdowne Street will be closed to all traffic to allow crews to work, owing to the “depth of the pipe in the ground and the narrow width of the corridor.”

“The 500 block contains the deepest part of the trench work with the pipe sitting at roughly five metres underground,” Infrastructure Delivery Divisional Manager, Matt Kachel said.

“Typically, sewer service has a depth of about 1.5 metres to two metres. For that reason, a full detour is required in this area.”

That detour will see Lansdowne Street traffic rerouted south on 6th Avenue, west of St. Paul Street, and then north of 3rd Avenue back onto Lansdowne Street.

Kachel says there will be a one lane of traffic restored on the 500-block of Lansdowne Street once the deep trench work is completed in early October. The intersection at 5th and Lansdowne will also reopen at this time.

“As the temporary detour route in stage four will take motorists along 6th Avenue – home of the two-way protected bike lane – the City is reminding residents of the importance of sharing the road responsibly,” Kachel added. “Cyclists follow the same rules and regulations as motorists. Yield to cyclists as you would to any other vehicle.”

“Use caution when crossing a bike lane to turn right or pull off to the side of the road. Don’t drive, stop, or park in a bike lane.”

Kachel also says the fifth and final stage of the project will involve a full closure of Lansdowne Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue. It is set to get underway in mid-October with more information on traffic and other impacts to come.

Work to replace the sewer main began in late April, with an expected completion date in November.

Crews began working at 1st Avenue and have been gradually making their way east towards 7th Avenue.

For more information on the City Centre Sanitary Upgrades project, including the latest updates to traffic and other impacts, go here.