Construction along an earler Phase of the Tranquille Sewar Line Replacement project/via City of Kamloops
The City of Kamloops is already dealing with delays as it prepares to put out the welcome mat for those affected, or interested, in what’s going to be one of the biggest municipal works projects ever conducted in the city.
A public gathering is set for later this week at the McArthur Island Sports Center — the first Open House for the final phase of the Tranquille Sewar Line Replacement Project, which is going to add to your commute time too and from the Kamloops Airport both during — and after — construction.
With the BC Bid process having just closed this past Friday for the contractor to do the work, Infrastructure Delivery Divisional Manager Matt Kachel says they’re probably not going to be able to provide a lot of details as to the exact timelines of when Phase 3 of the construction will begin.
However, he does conceded their initial timelines have already been bumped up from this spring.
“We’re a little bit farther out now, just based on the time it took to get the procurement process moving,” noted Kachel. “We’re probably looking at early summer now to start dropping machines off and get the first phase of the project going.”
Map showing details of the various Phases of the Tranquille Road construction project/via City of Kamloops
Phase 3 of the Tranquille Sewar Line replacement, which runs from Crestline to Southill, is going to be the largest of the three-pronged sections, and is going to take at least two years to complete.
“We’re gonna get as much as we can done in the summer but, we’re not going to open up, or at least, I hope we’re not going to open up more than we can put to bed before the winter comes, because building, putting pipe in the ground in the winter is not easy, and it’s quite expensive,” noted Kachel. “Whatever we can get done this year — great — and then we’ll leave the rest for the for ’26, and hopefully we can finish the rest in 2026.”
Add more time to catch your flight
The first Phase of the was on the North Primary Lift Station to Crestline Street.
That was finished without much fanfare in 2017, while Phase 2 — Southill Street to 12th Street — was completed in 2021.
Kachel says this phase is going to be the largest linear civil engineering project ever undertaken in Kamloops, with cost estimates at around $28 million for this portion of the project.
“I don’t know if I would say its the most impactful [project], because the West Victoria Street and Lansdowne [sewar line replacements] were down right in the downtown core. Obviously quite disruptive,” noted Kachel.
“This one’s more of a local issue, but it’s a huge project, and a big undertaking. The Sanitary main that we’re replacing is carrying about half the city’s sewage, so it’s pretty important,” he added.
Once complete, the project will also include the completion of the Active Transportation Cooridor along the route.
“The proposed work will include a 1.5 m wide concrete sidewalk on the north side of Tranquille Road, two 3.7 m wide vehicle travel lanes with barrier curb and gutter, and a 3.0 m wide multi-use pathway on the south side,” noted the City in its Let’s Talk update on the project. “Grass swales will provide separation between the multi-use pathway, sidewalk, and the travel lanes.”
Construction specs for Tranquille Road once Phase 3 of the project is completed/via City of Kamloops
Tranquille is the main route used by people heading too and from Kamloops via YKA.
While the construction is underway, those accessing the Airport — including commerical vehicles — are going to have to take alternative routes, meaning added time getting to a flight.
Once the project is completed, the Tranquille Road route is going to need more time to get through as well.
“When the corridor re-opens with project completion, the speed limit from Crestline Street and Southill Street will change from 60 km/h to 50 km/h,” noted the City. “The updated speed limit aligns better with the new road form and streetscape of Tranquille Road which will provide a more inviting environment for all road users while still accommodating daily vehicle volumes efficiently.”
The City’s first Open House — the first of at least two planned before construction starts — is set for Thursday.
Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Sports Centre Lounge, McArthur Island Sport And Event Centre (1665 Island Parkway)
