After years of discussion, the South Island will finally start to see some action in the construction of a long-awaited sewage treatment plant.
The Capital Regional District is using the road between St. Lawrence and South Turner streets to lay down a large sewer pipe that will eventually go underwater, linking the new McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and Ogden Point.
The nearly one-kilometre-long pipe will take a month to lay down before it's welded together and pulled into place along the ocean floor.
The hope is to lay five pipes down per day, totalling about 60 metres of pipe – roughly the size of an NHL ice rink.
The plan could put patience to the test in James Bay, where residents will be faced with ongoing road closures for up to six weeks.
While the pipeline is being built, a large portion of Niagara Street will be closed to cars and buses will be rerouted, causing temporary headaches for some.
Pedestrians and emergency vehicles will still have access to the road will work is underway.
Next fall, crews will return to finish the job by connecting the Clover Point pump station to Ogden Point by way of a permanent pipe that will be installed underneath Dallas Road.
The project is part of the region's $765-million sewage treatment centre at McLoughlin Point.
