After many delays, replacement of the Bittern Creek culvert on Ravenscliffe Road is expected to be finalized later this month, according to a report submitted to the District engineering and public works committee on June 17.
The project has been delayed for months after crews encountered challenging site conditions, repeated flooding and significant groundwater issues, states the report.
The project was fast-tracked earlier this year after inspections found the aging culvert was in advanced deterioration and at risk of failure. According to the report, District officials had hoped to complete the work before the spring freshet.
Construction began in March, with plans to reopen the roadway by early April. However, staff stated that progress was repeatedly disrupted by high water levels, difficulties installing temporary cofferdams, utility conflicts and extensive dewatering requirements.
The report states that the biggest challenge has been keeping the work area dry enough to safely install the new culvert. Spring flooding repeatedly affected temporary works, while seepage around sheet piling and elevated groundwater levels necessitated ongoing remediation. Each flooding event forced work stoppages, and additional stabilization measures were required before construction could continue, according to the report submitted by Lisa Kean, Manager of Infrastructure Engineering; Mark Misko, Director of Capital Planning and Delivery; and James Steele, Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works.
District representatives noted that water levels this spring were among the highest experienced since the widespread flooding of 2019.
In response, the contractor and District staff implemented several measures to accelerate progress, including seven-day workweeks, periods of 24-hour operations, daily coordination meetings, and a revised construction strategy that involved pre-assembling portions of the culvert for installation by crane.
The road closure, initially expected to last through March and early April, was extended after crews encountered additional utility conflicts, major flooding events and a sheet pile failure on April 30.
Following vociferous complaints from area residents about extended travel times, delays, lack of communication and substandard detour road conditions, a single lane of traffic reopened on May 8 under signal control, and it remains in place.
District officials now expect the road to fully reopen to two-way traffic later this month.
Despite the delays, the report states that the project remains below budget. The budget for the Bittern Creek Culvert replacement was approved at $1.625 million, with current costs estimated at approximately $1.476 million. Staff report that contingency funds remain available should additional expenses arise before the project is completed.
The report also outlines several lessons learned, including the need for more realistic construction schedules, enhanced public communications, improved planning for high-risk activities such as dewatering, and stronger contingency measures for future infrastructure projects.
District staff say updates will continue to be provided until the project is complete and that communication improvements identified during the project will be incorporated into future capital works initiatives.
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