Brewster Lake Road in Campbell River to have daytime closures starting Jan. 31

Brewster Lake Road in Campbell River to have daytime closures starting Jan. 31
File Photo
An aerial view of John Hart Damn in Campbell River.

Commuters in Campbell River will soon have to find an alternate route to cross the John Hart Dam, as Brewster Lake Road will see several daytime closures starting next week.

The road will be blocked off to traffic from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to BC Hydro.

The closure is necessary for the placement of cranes to provide work services, including the removal of old overhead service and cabling, as part of the John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project, a Hydro spokesperson said in a notice.

Drivers are asked to use Highway 19 as an alternative route.

The spokesperson also says all trails that lead to the Elk Falls suspension bridge, including the Millennium Trail, are closed off for public safety for some tree-felling work until Jan. 27.

The Millennium Trail, given its proximity to the penstock corridor and the work zone, will also be closed from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 and Feb. 6-10.

Ongoing early works for John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project include the laydown of construction areas, as well as powerline and fibre optic relocations, according to the spokesperson.

READ MORE: Vancouver Island dam to receive seismic upgrades that could total over $800 million

The dam upgrades, with a planned 2029 completion date, are estimated to cost between $497 million and $822 million but could be refined as the timeline progresses, BC Hydro says.

The project aims to benefit the local economy, public safety and clean electricity generation. The company says it has already initiated the first stage of the procurement process and submitted an application to the BC Utilities Commission for approval.

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