Updated: City Deploying Aqua Dam Thursday Due to Potential Flood Concerns

The Aqua Dam deployment schedule has been updated.

Comox Road will be single-lane alternating between Old Island Highway/5th Street and the Highway 19a bypass from 10:30 am to approximately 5:00 pm

The Old Island Highway between Ryan and Headquarters Roads will be reduced to single-lane northbound traffic only from 12:00 noon until approximately 8:00 pm. Southbound traffic will be detoured via posted side streets.

Previously:

October 12, 2016

Environment Canada and BC Hydro have advised of a series of storms approaching southern British Columbia, which are expected to peak over the weekend. Heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge are predicted.

These factors, combined with high tides and high river levels in the Puntledge, Tsolum, and Browns Rivers, could potentially result in localized flooding in low-lying areas.   

To help mitigate the flood risk in the Puntledge Business District, the City of Courtenay will be deploying the Aqua Dam flood control device in the following two locations starting Thursday October 13:

• Along the Old Island Highway between Ryan Road and Headquarters Road
• Comox Road between the Old Island Highway and Highway 19a bypass (near the Courtenay Slough)

As the city installs and deploys the Aqua Dams, there will be traffic impacts beginning Thursday morning.

The Old Island Highway between Ryan Road and Headquarters Road will be reduced to single-lane northbound traffic between 7:00 am and 1:00 pm while the Aqua Dam is installed. Once installation is complete, the Old Island Highway will return to regular two-way traffic.  

Recent improvements to drainage in this section of the Old Island Highway will reduce the potential for lane closures while the Aqua Dam is in place. New catch basins were installed in late September, which will help prevent water pooling on this section of road following heavy rainfall.

Comox Road between the Old Island Highway and Highway 19a bypass near the Courtenay Slough will be reduced to single-lane northbound traffic from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm for the Aqua Dam installation. Once the Aqua Dam is deployed, the road will return to regular two-way traffic.