Traveling the Inland Island Highway between Campbell River and Courtenay – as well as along the length of Campbell River itself – is about to get a bit more pleasant.
The travel lane – referred to by many as “the slow lane” – in both directions between Comox Valley Parkway and Jubilee Parkway will receive resurfacing using hot-in-place (HIP) recycle paving.
This method sees layers of highway asphalt removed, melted back together and replaced as new asphalt.
Sections of the travel lanes between Jubilee Parkway and 14th St. in Campbell River will receive mill-and-fill paving upgrades, where cracks that penetrate below the surface of pavement are “milled” out, filled with new paving and compacted.
The government release on the upcoming work says HIP recycle paving lasts an average of 12 years while mill-and-fill resurfacing projects last between 15 and 18 years.
Those traveling to the Comox Valley should be aware that 15 km of roads there will also be under repair using HIP recycle paving method, including sections of Ryan Road, Anderton Road and Comox Road, users can expect delays in those areas.
All 50-plus km of roadwork is expected to be complete by early fall.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone says the improvements “will provide a more even surface for travellers along this highway and into communities while also extending the life of our infrastructure.”
The $6.7-million HIP contract was awarded to ARC Asphalt Recycling of Kamloops and the the $2.5-million mill-and-fill contract was awarded to O.K. Industries of Courtenay.