A construction company that also owns a Hope gravel pit has been given the contract to restore a road that was heavily damaged in the November 2021 flooding.
The District of Hope announced Thursday evening (April 10) that Jakes Construction will be responsible for "road rehabilitation, realignment, pavement remediation, and culvert replacements" of Othello Road.
"This is a pretty big project," said Mayor Victor Smith. "And council is pretty happy that we were able to get the grant to do this."
According to Smith, Jakes Construction, which is owned by Jake Klaassen, obtained the contract after outbidding other interested contractors.
A budget of $1,856,000 has been reserved for the project, which was made possible thanks to a $1,669,736 grant from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program 鈥� Rural and Northern Communities. The remaining funds were obtained from the district's own infrastructure reserve.
Key work for the project includes: 6,680 metres squared of full-depth reclamation; 10,540 metres squared of hot mix asphalt paving (two lifts); 780 metres of asphalt curb installations, and culvert replacements for improved drainage.
The district anticipates that the project could be completed by the end of fall.
Othello Road was completely wiped out at the Coquihalla River during the November 2021 flooding, when homes and the Othello Tunnels were destroyed. Before the flooding, the road had already been deteriorating for years and faced concerns from locals about increasing safety risks.
More information about the project can be found at .
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;With files from Jessica Peters