Spokane Street Infrastructure Project grand opening ceremony
By kathy moore
The City of Rossland has substantially completed its most recent large-scaled infrastructure renewal project – the Spokane Street Infrastructure Project.
Building on the successes of our past projects, the continued development and refinement of a new Asset Management Investment Plan and concentrated investments from Council into existing core municipal infrastructure, the City commenced with planning activities to replace critical water and sewer utilities along the Spokane Street – Leroi Avenue corridor.
Immediately following the recent Washington Street Upgrade Project, the City was fortunate enough to be awarded significant funding under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund to help advance the Spokane Street Infrastructure Improvement Project. This project provided for the completion of an innovative project to combine four upcoming infrastructure renewal projects into one to address current utility capacity/condition concerns while helping to urbanize the existing road and pedestrian linkages in the area.
“The Government of Canada recognizes that up-to-date reliable water and wastewater infrastructure is essential to developing healthy and sustainable communities where families can thrive”, said the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “I am very pleased that federal funding helped make this important water main work possible in Rossland.”
In total, the project saw the replacement of 1,025m of aging water main, 600m of poor conditioned sewer main, 500m of undersized storm main, 7,700m2 of asphalt road surface infrastructure and improvements to 130m of sidewalk / pedestrian conductivity. This important infrastructure project helped to ensure that critical core infrastructure within the City will serve Rossland residents more efficiently for decades to come. Mayor Moore said “As with the completion of the most recent large-scaled infrastructure renewal projects undertaken by the City, I am very pleased to report that the Spokane-Leroi Infrastructure Project was completed on time and as per the approved budget.
Mayor Moore also said, “The existing water pipes that were replaced were constructed more than 50 years ago. Our sanitary sewer in that area consists of old clay tile pipes that have either been severely restricted or seen full collapse in recent years. The existing road and drainage infrastructure is also aging to the point where any further deterioration would most certainly increase the risk of future traffic disruptions, washouts and sediment loading to existing watercourses. Basically, the need for costly repairs to infrastructure in this section of the City has been increasing every year and something needed to be done”.
Funding for this project was provided through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund at a maximum federal/provincial contribution of $3,632,128 with the City contributing the remaining funds.
“Our government is committed to improving the services people count on,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We know it’s essential that communities across B.C. have access to clean, safe water and this investment will ensure the people of Rossland have an up to date water system they can rely on.”
Dealing with aging and failing infrastructure, funded only by property taxes is a nearly impossible task. Under the current system, grants along with sound asset management practices are a means for municipalities to renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure. On behalf of City Council and the City of Rossland, Mayor Moore again expressed her thanks to the all the residents in town who were impacted by this project for their patience and good humour throughout the summer. She said “I appreciate that living in a construction zone is never hassle free and change isn’t always easy, but by and large, everyone was understanding and gracious.”
The official ceremony to celebrate the completed project was held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 11:30 am, by Rossland City Hall.
