We’re upgrading critical sewer infrastructure along sections of Nanaimo Street between McGill Street and 4th Avenue.
Work includes replacing the sewer with a separated and larger-capacity system, with one pipe for rainwater runoff and another pipe for sanitary sewer. The new sewer will have a life expectancy of 100 years to help serve this growing neighbourhood.
In coordination with these sewer upgrades, there's also an opportunity to improve Nanaimo Street to make it safer and more comfortable for everyone.
Sewer separation
We are working towards the Province of BC's environmental goal to eliminate sewage overflows by 2050.
(2.3 MB)What's happening
Join us for a community event: Painting on the Sewer Lines
Make your mark by painting on the very pipes that will become part of your new and improved, separated sewer system right beneath your feet!
Painting on the Sewer Lines is part of our art-in-engineering initiative with our first engineering artist-in-residence, Germaine Koh. The purpose is to build opportunities for infrastructure, design, and creativity to come together.
Germaine Koh will be on hand with street and mural artists Priscilla Yu and Smokey D to assist with painting and taking crowd suggestions.
Paint will be provided along with ping pong tables and sidewalk chalk. Earnest Ice Cream will also be serving up frozen treats!
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Key recommendations
Nanaimo is an arterial street, truck and bus route, and provides an important connection to local neighbourhoods. Many of the proposed improvements were informed through the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan and previous community feedback as part of making Nanaimo a more complete street.
These recommended improvements include:
- Removing a travel lane, where excess vehicle capacity exists, between 2nd Ave and Pandora St
- This would reduce crossing distances for people walking, discourage speeding, and create a more comfortable experience on the street.
- Upgrading pedestrian crossings at 10 key intersections
- Installing a painted bike lane and making improvements for people cycling at key intersections to reduce conflicts with vehicles
- Adding new left-turn lanes down the centre of the street with new centre medians where possible
- Upgrading traffic signals at five key intersections
- Repaving the street surface
- Repairing sidewalks where needed
What's a complete street?
A street designed for everyone! This means a thoughtful design that:
- Ensures people of all ages and abilities can access homes and businesses
- Improves comfort and safety, especially for those walking, cycling, or taking transit
- Supports the movement of goods, services, and emergency vehicles
- Aims to enhance public life and make streets inviting spaces
- Considers green space, such as street trees and community gardens
- Explores opportunities for flexible design so streets can be adapted for special events, celebrations, and emerging technologies
- Explores opportunities to integrate sustainable design, such as rainwater management
- Fits with the neighbourhood context – no one-size-fits-all approach
Project details
Location
Nanaimo St, from McGill St to 4th Ave
Duration
February 2019 to spring 2020
Work hours
Monday to Friday: 7am to 5pm, extended hours as needed
Weekends: as needed
Timeline
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Late October 2018
Community notification
Community notified about upcoming construction with opportunity to provide feedback on potential street improvements
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November 13, 2018
Open House
Opportunity for public to provide feedback on potential street design
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Fall/winter 2018
Street design refined based on public feedback
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February 2019
Construction begins for sewer separation
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We are here
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Spring 2020
Expected completion
Related projects
Grandview-Woodland community plan
The community plan sets out a thoughtfully-managed framework for future change.
Greenest City Action Plan
Greenest City is a bold initiative that addresses Vancouver's environmental challenges.
Transportation 2040 Plan
Our plan provides a vision for how people and goods move in and around Vancouver for the next 30 years.
