Type(s)
News Release
Progress Report on BIG Project and Other Projects Under Way
PRINCE RUPERT, SEPTEMBER 12th, 2025 – Prince Rupert has never had more renewal and infrastructure work occurring in our community, and we know that the community is looking for updates on different projects and their associated impacts. Below is a comprehensive update on the major works and infrastructure challenges the City is currently in the process of addressing.
- Boil Water Notice: The City continues to face challenges with maintaining consistent water quality across the distribution system. While staff have made progress through measures like system flushing, these steps alone have not fully resolved the issue. City staff, working alongside external experts to help stabilize the system and are moving forward with its design and planning. This work is complex and will take time to implement, and timelines may be difficult to predict as we work through technical and operational challenges.
- At the same time, the City is exploring longer-term solutions to improve water quality and reliability for the community. These efforts will require significant planning and investment, and City Council and senior staff will be advocating for provincial support at the upcoming Union of BC Municipalities conference to help fund these future upgrades. We appreciate the community’s patience as we continue to work through these issues and are committed to providing updates as progress is made.
- Capital Paving: Starting mid-September on Bacon Street and moving through Borden Street, Piggot Avenue, Overlook Street, Herman Street and Rushbrook Ave, Taylor Street, 9th Avenue West, Lotibiniere Street, 8th Avenue East, Omineca Avenue, and Crestview Drive. Though originally scheduled to be first, additional emergency sewer utility works in the area have delayed Crestview paving to the end of the paving schedule. In all areas, notices with respect to parking and impacts will be delivered to households in the impacted paving areas by the contractor.
- 1st Street (roadway adjacent to Northern Savings): This excavation is in relation to an unplanned watermain failure in this area, which has undermined the roadway in the surrounding area, which was the cause of the original emergency closure. This is not a standard emergency break, and so additional design work is required prior to construction occur to correct the issue. Once designs are complete, the City can share additional detail regarding reopening timelines.
- 3rd/4th Avenue Staircase replacement: Design for project works has been awarded to All North. Design and tender documents will be completed in September, with construction to begin in the Fall.
- Park Avenue Wastewater Wetland Treatment Start: This project started in August of 2025, with construction impacts being felt in the Fall. Construction will have some minor impacts to pedestrian access to the Moresby Pond trail and area from Park Avenue. This is the first implementation of wastewater treatment in the community as we move towards implementing treatment. Additional information on that project is here.
- Public Works Building: Upgrades to the existing building are 95% complete, with staff move in anticipated over Winter of 2025. The additional building, to be used for purpose-built office and lunchroom building space, is 25% complete. Residents may have noticed road closures to enable utility connections (now nearly complete), foundation work is complete, with substantial completion of the building currently anticipated for July of 2026.
- Rushbrook Outfall Rerouting Project: Work on this project is continuing, with current impacts being primarily to the angled parking stalls across from the Canfisco facility. As replacement work continues, impacts will move east until they reach the Rushbrook parking lot. The work is part of a broader plan to prepare local infrastructure for future wastewater treatment. Specifically, the work will eliminate Outfall J, a stormwater outfall located beneath Rushbrook Floats. The plan includes consolidating wastewater flows from Outfall J into the existing Outfall I system, improving environmental management in the area.
Update on BIG Project Areas
City staff recently provided Council with a detailed update on the BIG Project — one of the largest and most significant infrastructure undertakings in our community’s history. Below are highlights from the report and updates on various areas.
Progress so far:
- To date, almost 10% of the priority areas for replacement have been completed. Major work has been done on Bacon Street, Crestview, Alfred Street, Rushbrook, and parts of 7th Avenue.
- Over $45 million has been spent or committed from the $193 million budget, including $23 million invested in the Shawatlans corridor — the most complex section of the entire project.
- In total, infrastructure for 77 homes has already been replaced, and detailed design and geotechnical work is underway for upcoming corridors.
What’s next:
- Frederick and Shawatlans: To date, 80% of the underground pipe works have been completed, with the culvert and chamber installation underway. This work area has experienced multiple delays related to supply chain and permitting requirements. Because this piece is critical to the City’s long-term water reliability, it’s important the work is done carefully and safely. We know the closure is inconvenient and will share updates on reopening timelines as soon as they are confirmed.
- Alfred Street: 425 meters of pipe, $5.1M budget — construction now underway.
- 11th Avenue East: 650 meters of pipe, $8.23M budget — shovel-ready to start.
- 9th Avenue West: Designs for 9th Avenue West have been awarded and construction start is anticipated within 2025.
- 2026 will be the biggest year yet, with $55M in work scheduled across the city.
- In 2027 and 2028, the program will continue with another $56M focused on priority and secondary corridors.
We know the BIG Project brings short-term inconvenience, but it’s an unprecedented investment in our city’s future. We appreciate the community’s patience as we continue building a safer, stronger, and more reliable water system for generations to come.
Staying informed:
Want to stay up to date on what’s going on in the community and the impacts to you? You have options!
- Bookmark our website to see the latest news, notices and for information on City programs and services: https://www.princerupert.ca/
- Follow us on social media at: https://www.facebook.com/CityofPR
- Download our municipal app and click ‘Allow Notifications’ to receive push notifications updating you on traffic impacts, events, emergency alerts, and to submit service requests or access City information
- For the occasional email newsletter sharing news items, project updates, Council meeting summaries, job opportunities, and more, sign up on our online engagement platform at engage.princerupert.ca.
- For BIG Project specific updates, head to engage.princerupert.ca/big
- Tune in for Council meetings directly via Channel 10/310, or by watching them after the fact on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cityofprincerupert6821
MEDIA CONTACT:
Veronika Stewart, Manager of Communications, Engagement and Social Development
Office: (250) 627 0976
Cell: (778) 884 6285
Email: veronika.stewart@princerupert.ca