FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prince George, B.C. – The City of Prince George is getting ready to begin a major capital project in the Southridge area that will restore old water infrastructure and prevent future service disruptions. The work is scheduled to take place throughout the month of July.
Approximately 415 metres of existing cast‑iron watermain along Southridge Avenue from Dakelh Ti to St. Lawrence Avenue will be relined, restoring it to near-new condition without needing to fully excavate the entire area. There have been six watermain breaks in this section in recent years due to accelerated deterioration of the existing pipe, assumed to be caused by corrosive soil. Each of these breaks has resulted in temporary water outages causing up to 300 properties to lose access to water. The total project budget is $4 million.
Crews began setting up above-ground equipment this week. Excavation will begin on July 6, followed by relining on July 13. Throughout the project, one lane of traffic will remain open on Southridge Avenue between St. Lawrence Avenue and Dakelh Ti for local traffic travelling northbound only. The St. Anne intersection at Southridge Avenue will be closed for the duration of the project. Drivers that do not live on Southridge Avenue are urged to take an alternate route to alleviate traffic congestion in the work zone.
Approximately 30 properties have been provided with a temporary above‑ground water service to use at times when the regular water service is unavailable. Other homes in the area may experience temporary changes in water pressure or sediment through July. The water is safe to drink, and residents are advised to run their taps until the water clears if discolored. The City thanks residents for their patience and cooperation as crews complete this necessary infrastructure work.
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Media contact:
Kendall Robertson, senior communications advisor
Mobile: 778-349-5393
Email: media@princegeorge.ca