The Comox Valley Regional District is undergoing a confidential Design-Build procurement process for the Sewer Conveyance Project which includes the portion of the pipe that will be constructed through Lazo Hill. Through this process, several significant challenges with the tunnelling methodology have been identified.

Technical assessments, groundwater monitoring and geotechnical investigations were completed to confirm the viability of the alignment and the appropriate depth of the tunneled pipe to mitigate risk to groundwater. After assessing this data, in combination with detailed analysis completed by the proponents as part of the procurement process, the CVRD has concluded that the risks are too high to proceed as originally planned.

The Project staff have re-evaluated options to mitigate these risks and still allow the project to advance. Included in the re-evaluation was the traditional cut and cover methodology that had been among the shortlist conveyance options for the Liquid Waste Management Plan process. Cut and cover has been re-assessed as the preferred solution moving forward and can satisfy the criteria that had previously constrained this methodology from being pursued. As a result, the pipe installation will change from tunneling through Lazo Hill, to cut and cover over the hill along Lazo Road. Before the remaining alignment beyond Lazo Hill is determined, the CVRD will need to evaluate alignment options including along Curtis Road.

In keeping our commitment to maintain open and transparent dialogue with community about the project, it is critical we share this new development and walk you through the details of how we arrived at the decision and the steps required to finalize the cut and cover alignment route.

The community is invited to an online webinar Thursday, June 8 where project staff will provide a detailed presentation about the revised scope, including new technical information. This one-hour presentation will be followed by a question and answer session, at which time feedback for the final design analysis for the Lazo Hill sewer pipe alignment will be collected. Participants are required to preregister to confirm attendance at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ifwmcDglQd6xAqsomViVTQ

DATE: Thursday, June 8

TIME 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration