5th Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project

Start: Mid April 2021

End: Early 2022

Last Updated: April 22, 2022

Project Description:

April 22, 2022

Equipment & Scaffolding Removal Update

Over the next two weeks, all remaining construction equipment and scaffolding will be removed from around the 5th Street Bridge.

By Monday May 9th, the underpass on the downtown side of the bridge will reopen. The underpass between Simms and Lewis parks reopened in March.

With this last step, the bridge and surrounding area will be fully returned to previous traffic patterns and access points.

Thank you for your patience during construction. The investment in this essential transportation corridor has preserved and extended the life of the bridge well into the future.

February 17, 2022

5th Street Bridge is OPEN

The 5th Street Bridge is OPEN in both directions.

You can now drive straight down 5th Street onto the bridge, and the detour route is no longer in effect. Both sidewalks are open.

Crews are still working in the area, and there may be intermittent delays at times. Please drive carefully and be mindful of traffic control personnel and changes to signage and road markings.

Time to give our bridge some TLC.

The 5th Street Bridge Project will preserve and extend the life of the bridge well into the future. The $6.5 million investment is being made by the City of Courtenay with support from the provincial and federal governments.

The bridge will be reduced to single lane traffic in alternating directions until February 2022. Expect delays and detours if you drive, walk, cycle or take transit.

Plan ahead and allow extra time for daily commutes. Thank you for your patience.

5th Street Bridge Project Photo Gallery

5th Street Bridge Project Overview

Scope
What To Expect During Construction
Schedule
Budget and Funding
Project Contractor
Public Engagement
Council Reports

5th Street Bridge Project: Frequently Asked Questions

5th Street Bridge Project E-Newsletter

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5th Street Bridge Project E-Newsletter Archive

Scope

The scope for the 5th Street Rehabilitation Project includes:

Removal of the lead-based paint	Complete
Recoating of all the steel including rails and rub rails	Complete
Steel repairs to the end of the deck beams underneath the bridge	Complete
Removal of existing overlay	Complete
Deck concrete removal and repairs	Complete
Placement of a new concrete overlay	Complete
Line painting	Complete
Commissioning cathodic protection	Underway
Project wrap-up

What to Expect During Construction

The 60-year-old 5th Street Bridge was coated in lead paint that has now been removed to address the corrosion within the steel. To protect the surrounding environment, the bridge was enclosed in scaffolding and sections were wrapped for significant lengths of time during the project. Metal scaffolding covered in heavy-duty plastic wrapping prevented lead paint and other contaminants from entering the Courtenay River and surrounding area. The lane width on the bridge was reduced to safely complete the work.

Bridge Underpasses Closed

Underpasses at both ends of the 5th Street Bridge remain closed for now.

Construction lay-down area

The contractor is using a large area on the east (Lewis Park) side of the bridge for storage of equipment, supplies, vehicles and a construction trailer. Public parking has been reduced.

Schedule

Bridge construction began in mid-April 2021. The bridge reopened to two-way traffic in February 2022.

Budget and Funding

The current estimate for the Fifth Street Bridge Rehabilitation project is $6.5 million.

Project Element	Rehabilitation
Outcome	A rehabilitated crossing with extended service life, with full utilization of the grant.
Construction contract	$5.4 million
Project management, traffic optimization, and contingency	$1.1 million
TOTAL	$6.5 million
Fed / Prov Grant	$1.96 million
Reserves	$0.94 million
Carry-forward from prior budget year	$0.21 million
City Borrowing Amount	$3.4 million

The City of Courtenay was successful in securing a grant of $1.96 million though the New Building Canada- Small Communities fund, which requires construction completion by March 2022. The remainder of the project costs will be funded by the City of Courtenay.

As directed by Council, the City used the Alternative Approval Process to seek approval for borrowing to help fund the project.

Project Contractor

The City of Courtenay awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the 5th Street Bridge to Park Derochie, an industry leader in bridge rehabilitation projects, specializing in blast cleaning, coatings, and scaffolding. Learn more

Public Engagement

5th Street Bridge Colour

The bridge has been recoated in classic green lead-free paint. A 5th Street Bridge colour survey was completed in January 2021 where over 2,100 people participated in the survey, with over half of those in favour of recoating the bridge in “classic green” over the other proposed choices of silver and matte black.

2019 Drop-in Open House and Survey

On November 21, 2019, the community was invited to provide feedback on the 5th Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project. An online survey provided additional opportunities for the community to weigh in on the project.

Open House Display Boards [PDF - 8 MB]

What We Heard - Phase1 Public Engagement Summary [PDF - 1 MB]