Water project moves closer to completion

PORT McNEILL — The replacement of Port McNeill’s public water infrastructure moved into its next phase when council voted  during its regular meeting Aug. 15 to award the contract for Phase V of the project to Windley Contracting Ltd.

The project to replace aging underground pipes started in 2010, and is expected to wrap up late this fall with a total price tag of approximately $4.2 million.

Phase V, the last major phase of construction, was bid for $929,263 to Windley, which recently completed Phase IV of the pipe replacement on Campbell Way and Mine Road.

Two smaller phases to complete the project will follow.

“It will change the water system for the majority of Port McNeill, which has had these pipes in the ground for close to 50 years,” Mayor Gerry Furney said. “The water quality, which is drawn from four wells, is excellent. But the old pipeline was asbestos cement and that eventually starts to break down.”

Windley was one of seven contractors that submitted tenders by the July 22 deadline, and came in with the lowest bid.

“Windley did a fabulous job on the work up McNeill hill, and they were so quick,” coun. Shirley Ackland said. “I’m pleased they’ve submitted the proposal for this phase.”

Phase V will include work on Broughton Boulevard and Haddington Crescent. Previous phases included work on Beach Drive, McNeill Way, Campbell Way and Mine Road, and involved the installation of both new underground pipe and new fire hydrants.

“We first decided we would start converting it little by little as we could afford it,” said Furney. “But with the granting of $2.8 million from the feds and the provincial government, we’ll tackle the whole thing.”

Last Wednesday, North Vancouver Island MP John Duncan visited and met with local dignitaries to review progress on the water system thus far.