What is the BIG Project?

The Big Infrastructure Gap (BIG) project is the City of Prince Rupert's plan to upgrade and replace the most critical of our aged water and sewer infrastructure. A significant proportion of our system is beyond its usable life, as evidenced by near constant failures in water distribution lines that have been increasing in frequency over the past few years. Simply put, without this work, there is a risk of failure of our water supply, and by virtue of that, potentially our community.

By replacing deteriorating water and sewer mains, valves, and associated components, the project will bring us back from potential failure of our system. It will enable us to redirect water and sewer spending that is currently exhausted every year by emergency repairs back where it belongs - into planned capital replacements. What we're looking to accomplish is essentially a hard reset of our water and sewer distribution system, and with a significant amount of the necessary funding now in place, we're well on our way to accomplishing this goal.

This is a significant generational investment into our infrastructure that will help to secure it for years to come. It will improve the reliability of service delivery, enhance water quality, and minimize future disruptions in our distribution system.

Current Road Closure Table

Stay informed about traffic disruptions caused by the municipal water infrastructure replacement project through our comprehensive table below. We are doing our best to minimize disruptions while keeping you informed about the traffic management measures in place.


Click here to see our live road closure map

StatusRoad ClosedDescriptionExpected TimelineDetours
Ongoing - Started Spring 2024Shawatlans Rd from Fredrick St, 700m east until the service access roadRoad will be fully closed, no access points to be obstructedPlanned Completion in 2025Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes via Yellowhead Highway 16
Ongoing - Started November 2024Prince Rupert Blvd and Frederick Street (road leading to Industrial site road and Highway exit)Road will be full closed, with local traffic access onlyPlanned completion in 2025Drivers to take alternate routes to access Highway 16 via Prince Rupert Blvd

Substantial Completion - Awaiting PavingCrestview Drive - 177 Crestview to 325 Crestview Drive as well as the corner of Crestview and VictoriaRolling road closures of different sections of the road as project progresses16 week construction timelineDetour via Applewhaite
Drive


Start date August 7th 2025 Alfred Street with the intersections of Hays Cove, 8th Ave East , 9th Ave East, 10th Ave East and 11th Ave East experiencing closures.Street closures in sections with full closures in working area.

Pedestrian access will maintain, single lane open to areas as work continues.
21 week construction timelineAlfred Street closed in sections. Rolling closures to intersections on 8th East, 9th East, 10th East and 11th East.
Start date October 14th, 2025400 - 500 block of 9th Avenue West, intersections of Lisa Walters Drive and Lotbiniere Street experiencing closures.

Pedestrian access will maintain open.
Rolling road closures of different sections of the road as project progresses.

Pedestrian access will maintain, single lane open to areas as work continues.
12 week construction timelineDrivers are encouraged to use 8th Avenue East as a detour.

Completed Areas:

Bacon Street

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