A 64-year-old water main has officially been replaced at a major intersection in Prince George.
The city says the pipe was installed this morning (May 29) at Third Avenue and Victoria Street and pressure-testing is underway, so residents are being encouraged to continue to avoid this area as much as possible.
Earlier this week, the B.C. government unveiled a $350-million road resurfacing investment for northern sections, including Highway 16 between 20 Avenue and the Old Cariboo Highway.
The City of Prince George decided to take advantage of the situation by immediately replacing the six-decade-old cast iron water main, to which cold temperatures caused it to burst in November and crews to conduct a plastic-pipe replacement.
While installation was successful in the last 12 hours, traffic remains partially re-open at single-lane alternating at Third and Victoria.
Commuters are being redirected to Dominion Street as the current detour.
According to city spokesperson Rob van Adrichem, backfilling of the excavation will begin later today to prep for repaving at the provincial-highway intersection.
He adds water service to affected downtown businesses and other places will be restored when the pipe’s pressure-testing is complete.
More information is available on the City of Prince George website.
