A road closed by the City of Powell River’s engineering department is expected to remain closed until the end of April or early May.
On January 24, the city closed a section of the eastbound lane and sidewalk on Westview Avenue, from the intersection at Marine Avenue to the driveway of a former restaurant on the corner property. The road was closed because of concerns about the retaining wall adjacent to the sidewalk.
According to city staff, in August 2010, the owner of the property at 4432 Marine Avenue contacted the city about the structural integrity of the retaining wall.
On December 2, 2010, the city hired Koers and Associates Engineering Ltd. to complete a structural assessment of the wall. “Degree of failure of the wall was determined and concern for public safety was raised,” stated an email from city staff.
As reported by the Peak, on January 6, 2011, council approved spending $80,000 to repair the wall, with $60,000 coming from the damage claim reserve and $20,000 from the water operating fund surplus. On January 19, city staff asked the property owner permission to redirect pedestrians through the property to provide a safe route away from the retaining wall.
The city closed the road to ensure public safety, according to the email.
Staff expect a completed rehabilitation strategy from Koers by the end of February and construction on the retaining wall is expected to be tendered by the middle of March.
