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Just one more thing on the highway...

Get ready for one more closure along the Old Island Highway.

Get ready for one more closure along the Old Island Highway.

The city announced Wednesday that final paving on the upgraded portion of the highway between Hilchey and Rockland roads will begin in May.

It’s estimated that the closure will go into effect for five days in mid to late May, from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. Exact dates and times will be confirmed by the end of April.

During the closure, southbound traffic will be re-routed to Rockland, Galerno and Hilchey and northbound traffic can get around the construction site by taking Hilchey, Galerno and Rockland. Crossing guards will be on hand to assist pedestrians crossing at the Hilchey and Galerno intersection during heavy detour traffic periods.

The paving marks the final phase of the $13.1 million upgrade project which began more than a year ago.

Since then, new water and sanitary mains have been installed underneath the highway, and new street lights and sidewalks have been put in.

The Seawalk between Hilchey and Rockland has been re-paved and a brand-new sewage lift station was built.

The Simms Creek Pump Station features wireless communication, emergency back-up and sewage lift pumps with the capacity to handle all present and future sewage flow.

The final paving was originally targeted to be done by March 31 but a funding deadline extension from the federal government allowed that date to be pushed back.

Although construction did run on schedule throughout, waiting until May to do the final paving ensured a better quality product.

“Our consultants have told us that if we can, it’s in our best interest to delay the paving of the last lift of asphalt,” Jason Hartley, city capital works manager, said when the funding extension was announced. “If we want it to be the best it can be, last the longest it can and minimize the burden of maintaining it, we’re being told we should wait for favourable weather.”

For more information on the Highway 19A project visit campbellriver.ca