About the Project
Location: Uplands – Rutland and Humber Catchments
Type of Work: New water main and storm drain infrastructure, outfall structures and street lighting.
Stage: Phase One Construction
Construction timeline: March 2024 – March 2026
This project is the first phase of the sewer separation project in the Uplands neighbourhood. Its purpose is to eliminate combined sewer overflows by diverting storm water from homes and road catch basins to new storm drains.
- Construction of a new gravity stormwater system (approximately 3.5 km), including mains, manholes, catch basins and leads
- Installation of new service connections to each house (approximately 120)
- Installation of new street lights
- Construction of two new ocean outfalls
If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact engineering@oakbay.ca.
Storm Main
3,600 metres
Water Main
1,600 metres
New Street Lights
120
Project Updates
December 19 | 2026 Work and Soil Stockpiles
Work remaining in 2025
All the underground infrastructure work is competed. Work remaining to December 24th, 2025, to include:
- Concrete Curb and Sidewalk Restoration, followed by backfill and temporary paving.
- Streetlight pole wiring and commissioning, followed with removal of old poles and bases.
- Site cleanup, sweep roads, temporary patch road surfaces, removal of construction supplies and material, and removal of storage containers.
Work in Spring of 2026
- Compete restoration of concrete curb and sidewalk & driveway crossings.
- Any repairs.
- Asphalt paving – both trench and full road width restorations on all roads.
- Landscaping restoration and site cleanup.
Stockpiles of Soil on Ripon & Midland Road
What’s Happening:
- During the Uplands Sewer Separation Project, excavation along Beach Drive produced excess soil that required inspection by the project’s archaeological team.
- To facilitate this work, the soil was temporarily stockpiled on Ripon Road and Midland Road.
- Soil screening is complete and the piles have been consolidated to minimize their footprint.
- An application for a provincial permit is currently in progress to authorize the relocation of the soil from the roads to the final destination.
Duration and Dates
- While permit approvals typically take 3 to 4 months, ongoing job action by the B.C. General Employees Union (BCGEU) may cause delays in processing and could take up to 6 months.
- The District and its archaeological team are actively working to minimize these delays by maintaining regular communication with the province.
- The current anticipated timeline on when the soils can be relocated is Spring 2026.
Traffic / Access impacts:
- There is reduced access to the end of Ripon Road.
- Midland Road at Beach Drive Will Be Closed.
- There may be intermitted access impacts that the Contractor will minimize and is required to maintain resident/local traffic access over the course of the work and shut-downs.
- A 1.0 m set-back will be maintained with all driveways.
- Access for Emergency Services will be maintained.
Environmental/Disturbance Management:
- Measures will be taken by the Contractor to limit environmental impacts including dust and runoff.
- Management of stockpiling will be performed in a controlled manner not to impact existing infrastructure and trees.
We appreciate your understanding and your patience. If you have any questions, please call (250) 598-2042 ext. 7807 or send an email to humberproject@oakbay.ca.
December 2025 | Project Update
Crews will be continuing with concrete curb and sidewalk restoration, topsoil reinstatement and installation of streetlight poles and fixtures. Work will be done as the weather permits.
Paving planned for early 2026
While crews are anticipated to clean up sites, paving is anticipated to resume in early 2026.
Uplands Streetlights
The District acknowledges that recent construction has impacted the streetlight system, resulting in damage to existing wiring and causing outages on Beach Drive and Exeter Road. Locating the source of the damage has been challenging; however, we have expedited the commissioning of the new lighting system. The new lights on Beach Drive and Exeter Road are scheduled to be operational by December 4, 2025.
We appreciate your patience as we work to restore safe and reliable lighting in the area
Oct. 27 to Nov. 7 | Beach Drive Closure
What’s Happening?
Beach Drive between Lansdowne Road and Cadboro Bay Road will be closed to local traffic only from October 27 to November 7. The road will be closed during work hours (7 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.) and open to traffic in the evenings.
Crews will be performing concrete curb and sidewalk removals as part of the Uplands Sewer Separation project.
Traffic Impacts
- Local traffic only. Access to driveways will be maintained besides short durations where they will be inaccessible.
- Emergency services, recycling and waste collection, Canada Post and other services will maintain access.
- Pedestrians and cyclists will have access to the sidewalk.
Taking Transit?
BC Transit stops may be affected during this work. Please refer to BC Transit’s website for current schedules and updates.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please reach out to humberproject@oakbay.ca. Thank you for your understanding during this essential work!
Find previous updates on this project alongside background on the project and its engagement history by visiting our Connect Oak Bay public engagement platform.
Traffic Impacts
- Beach Drive will be closed to non-local traffic only.
- Local access will be maintained throughout the project.
- Access to private driveways will be maintained.
- Pedestrian and cyclist access though site will be permitted using the sidewalk.
- Traffic control will be in place for the safety of everyone and is to be obeyed.
- Non-Local traffic will be detoured using Lansdowne Road.