About the project
The sewer system, which handles approximately half of the municipality’s wastewater, including flows from the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) First Nation, has reached the end of its lifecycle. Replacing and reconfiguring the system has been a top infrastructure priority for the District since condition assessments noted several critical components of the system need replacement. The $12.4M project to replace the Brentwood Bay sewer system is one of the largest capital projects undertaken by the District in recent times. The project is eligible for $5.8M in funding from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program due to the environmental protection aspect of the project as the main sewer pump station is a few metres away from Saanich Inlet. New main pipes will be installed in the roadway and new sewer service connections will be provided to the properties. In total, the project includes 4,270 meters of sanitary sewer mains along Sluggett Road, Wallace Drive and Stelly’s Cross Road. Improvements along Wallace Drive will also include the installation of new bike infrastructure.
The entire system will be replaced in phases.
- New main pipes installed in the roadway and new sewer service connections provided to the properties along the new alignment in Brentwood Bay which is comprised of 4,270 meters of sanitary sewer mains along Slugget Rd, Wallace Dr and Stellys Cross Rd.
- Improvements to Wallace Drive, including new sidewalk and bike infrastructure along Wallace Drive.
- W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) First Nation also be replacing and upgrading their related infrastructure.
WE ARE HERE>> Upgrade two sewer lift stations and removal of one sewer lift station
Construction impacts
- Traffic control personnel and signage will be in-place to help direct vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians through and around the work areas.
- Phased disruptions to services in the area will occur during construction.
- The District or its contractor will notify residents a minimum of 24 hours prior to any disruption of services.
- Garbage and recycling services will not be impacted.
Project Updates
With most sewer mains in the ground, we are now working on our sewer pump stations. These stations are critical components of our sewer infrastructure.
Project highlights
Decommissioning old pump stations: The existing pump stations at Brentwood, Hagan, and Silverdale will be retired.
Building new pump stations: New pump stations will be constructed at the Brentwood and Silverdale sites.
Upgrading Stelly’s Cross Road to a gravity sewer system: Included approximately 500 meters of new sanitary line, new manholes along Stellys Cross Road and tie-ins to existing sewer lines
Timeline
The contractor C-1 is expected to begin December 29, 2025.
Estimated completion: Sept 8, 2026
Construction impacts
Drivers: Expect lane closures and traffic delays on Stellys Cross Road during installation of the gravity sewer and manholes.
Residents: Local access will be maintained, but please allow extra travel time. Temporary bypass pumping and flow routing will be in place during construction.
Students: No impact to pedestrian and bike traffic.
Work hours: 7am to 5pm
Detour routes: No detour required at this time
With the sewer pipe installed, final paving is anticipated to begin Thursday, April 3! Paving is scheduled over a few weeks, with line painting to follow. Crews will complete work as quickly as possible based on our spring weather. Please plan for single lane alternating traffic, Monday-Thursday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with potential for short delays.
- The sidewalk will be open! Access to Willow Way Trail will be closed briefly while paving that section.
- The bus stop (Stop 101969) behind Stelly's High School will be open and buses will be given priority.
- The speed limit is 30 km/hour while this is an active construction site. Please respect signage and follow direction from traffic control personnel.
- Businesses on Wallace Drive, like at Brentwood Crossing, are OPEN. Please support our local businesses!
Thank you for your patience while our community's essential sewer system is replaced.
To facilitate the final pipes being laid on Wallace Drive, the road will be closed to vehicles and cyclists from March 10 to approximately March 17, 2025, between Silverdale (near West Saanich) and Stelly’s Cross Road; the sidewalk to Stelly’s Secondary will remain open.
Repaving the impacted section of Wallace Drive is a priority for the District and will take place as soon as it can be scheduled this spring. Following the final paving, line painting, cyclist road markings, signage, and a light-activated crosswalk at Willow Way Trail will enhance road safety for all users. A speed reduction is also being planned for later this year, and will be presented to Council this spring.
This project, which began in April 2024, represents a significant investment in our community’s infrastructure, ensuring reliable sewer service for decades to come.
We thank the residents and businesses of Central Saanich for their continued support and understanding during this important project.
The sun is out, a temporary centre line is in place, and Wallace Drive is now temporarily reopened! While this is a milestone, it is a temporary reopening because this project has a lot of moving parts. Thank you for your patience during this critical project (the sewer system handles half of our community’s wastewater!).
The south-bound lane is temporarily reopened now that reflective line markers have been installed for safer driving in the dark.
This remains an active construction zone. Please obey the posted speed limit (30 km/hr).
🚧 Work anticipated in FEBRUARY: BC Hydro has approved work near Willow Way Trail earlier than anticipated, allowing crews to lay the last sewer pipe for this section and crosswalk lights and paving to be completed near Willow Way Trail. This work requires a full road closure for about a week.
🚧 Work anticipated this SPRING: Permanent road markings including for crosswalk, bike lanes and sharrows (where there is not enough width for bike lanes) and planned speed limit reduction for improved road safety.
Please note: This project’s scope included paving in the south-bound lane only (the budget did not allow for repaving both lanes). We are exploring options to resurface the north-bound lane and help prevent water from pooling.
🦺 Sharing the road safely 🦺
🚲 Please ride with caution as close as practicable to the right side of the road and take the lane where it is safer to do so.
🚶 There will be a new crosswalk at Willow Way Trail. Lights to be installed. Please cross carefully.
🚗 Give bikes 3+ feet (1+ meters) for safe passing, per Motor Vehicle Act regulations. Please drive slowly and pass carefully, looking out for cyclists, pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
What is happening on Wallace Drive?
Road work along Wallace Drive for the Brentwood Sewer Project, from Brentwood to Stelly’s Cross Road, is nearly complete. We anticipate the road will reopen near the end of January.
What’s next?
- Permanent line painting
- Signage adjustments for bike lanes and sharing the road
- Speed reduction for improved road safety
- Crosswalk lights at Willow Way Trail
- Additional paving near Willow Way Trail, alongside BC Hydro work
Permanent line painting is weather-dependent and we anticipate that it will be completed this spring. Please check this project page for updates.
Sharing the road safely:
- Driving: The south-bound lane will reopen once crews install road safety barriers and paint a temporary center line. Please drive slowly and look out for cyclists and pedestrians.
- Remember that under the new Motor Vehicle Act regulations, vehicles must give bikes 3+ feet of space for safe passing distance.
- Cycling: Temporary paint will not include road markings for bikes just yet. Please ride with caution as close as practicable to the right side of the road (or take the lane if it is safer to do so).
- Walking and rolling: Temporary paint will include a crosswalk at Willow Way. This is a new crosswalk and does not have lights just yet. Please cross carefully.
The roadwork along Wallace Drive for the Brentwood Sewer Project, from Brentwood to Stellys X Rd is nearing the finish line.
Traffic Notice - crews are finishing the sidewalk and will begin paving Wallace Drive from Silverdale Pl to Stellys on Wednesday, December 4 from 9am-dusk.
- This requires a FULL closure for vehicle traffic – Please use an alternate route.
- Pedestrian access will remain open.
Work on the barriers and ditches, bus stop and line painting will follow. We greatly thank the community for its patience as we upgrade the sewer system and above-ground infrastructure to serve us for decades to come.
The $12.4M sewer system replacement began in April 2024 and much of the work is almost complete. This is no small project, and it will ensure our community is well served for decades to come (the system handles half of the municipality’s wastewater!). With the pipes laid, the roads being repaved, the bulk of the final work is in upgrading sewer pump stations, which will have minimal impacts to local residents.
We are grateful for the community’s patience as construction had to be sensitive to the bald eagle nesting window and fisheries window in Graham Creek. We are also thankful to have received $5.8M from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for this project.
What is happening on Wallace Drive?
Major construction on Wallace Drive will continue through October. Access to Brentwood businesses (from West Saanich Rd to Silverdale Pl) remains open—please support your local retailers!
During this work, the District is widening the road where possible to accommodate shared use for cycling and is adding a sidewalk from West Saanich Road to Stelly’s Secondary.
What’s next?
- Paving at the intersection of Wallace Drive and West Saanich Road is weather-dependent and expected to be finished by the end of October.
- Paving Wallace Drive from West Saanich Road to Stelly’s Cross Road is weather-dependent and tentatively scheduled for October 23-25.
- We expect most of the road work to be complete by November. Small works will remain dependent on when BC Hydro confirms scheduling for their work at Willow Way Trail.
- Starting in the new year, sewer pump stations will be upgraded at Silverdale Place, Sluggett Road and Brentwood Drive, and the station at Hagan Road will be removed. This will have minimal impact to residents.
Traffic Impacts:
- Intersection at Wallace Drive & West Saanich Road: Paving is weather-dependent and currently scheduled for October 23-25. Access to all businesses and the pedestrian route will remain open. Please anticipate significant traffic delays at the intersection and use an alternate route where possible.
- Wallace Drive between West Saanich Road and Stelly’s Cross Road: Both lanes will need to close for one week during BC Hydro work by Willow Way Trail. The timing of this closure depends on BC Hydro scheduling. Residents will continue to have access to their properties. Please keep an eye on this page for updates!
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to complete these essential improvements.
Beginning Monday, August 26, at 9:00 a.m., the south-bound lane on Wallace Drive from Stelly’s Cross Road to West Saanich Road will be closed (the north-bound lane traveling towards Saanichton will remain open).
- Bussing – The bus stop near Willow Way will be closed (#101969). Please check BC Transit for the updated route and schedule. The nearest bus stops are #101988 on Stelly's Cross Rd, and #101986 at the north-west corner of the Wallace Dr and Stelly’s Cross Rd intersection.
- Walking and rolling – The pathway along Wallace Dr between Silverdale Pl and the bus stop will be closed.
Willow Way will remain open so that residents can cross Wallace Dr to Stelly's Secondary School.
Several road sections will also be paved beginning Monday, August 26, and expected to be completed before school starts.
- Sluggett Rd – from Wallace Dr to Hagan Rd
- Wallace Dr – from West Saanich Rd to Sluggett Rd
- Wallace Dr – south-bound (towards Brentwood Bay) bike lane from Centennial Park to Stelly's Cross Rd
Please be advised that work on the Brentwood sewer replacement project will take place at the intersection of Wallace Drive and West Saanich Road beginning on Monday, July 22 from 7:00 am to 5pm for approximately 3 weeks. Expect single-lane alternating traffic; if possible, please use an alternate route during this time.
The intersection at Sluggett Road and Hagan Road will be closed to traffic beginning on Friday, June 7 for approximately 1.5 weeksfor the Brentwood sewer replacement construction project.
Please use an alternate route during this time.
Wallace Drive from Stelly’s Cross Road to West Saanich Road will be closed to traffic headed south towards Brentwood Bay. Please use the detour route along Stelly’s Cross Road and West Saanich Road. The road will be open as one-way traffic for vehicles headed northbound along Wallace Drive towards Saanichton.
The closure is due to a combination of the wet weather and the soil conditions during the Brentwood sewer replacement construction. We hope it will re-open in early May and will provide updates.
Construction has begun on the Bentwood Bay Sewer along Wallace Drive at Centennial Park; this area will be impacted for the next several months.
Traffic control personnel and signage will be in place to help direct vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians through the active work areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
See the map (above) of planned construction, please watch this page to stay up to date on project progress. If you have any questions or concerns please, contact Central Saanich Engineering at 250-544-4210 or email engineering@csaanich.ca
We have no intentions of removing the tree and will as bald eagles are a protected species, we will certainly be abiding by environmental laws. An environmental report has been conducted and guides how to construct the sewer line easement next to the eagles without impacting them.
The barriers are required for safety to prevent drivers and cyclists from going into the ditch.
A total road repaving was not originally part of the project budget, and the partial repaving did create some unintended water pooling. The District is looking at options to improve the road condition.
Parking on Wallace was eliminated to make room for bikers and add a pedestrian pathway from Willow Way to the school.
The District intends to use this newly acquired land to build a trail connection from Wallace to Stelly’s Cross Road. The design and budget have not been set yet.
The speed limit is anticipated to be reduced as part of the District’s speed reduction program which could happen Summer/Fall 2025.
The decision to use on part of Wallace Drive is based on physical constraints that prevent the installation of bike lanes. These constraints include narrow road right-of-ways, existing drainage systems, and the presence of hydro towers. Sharrows, or shared lane markings, indicate where cyclists should position themself on the road, even taking the lane, and signals to both cyclists and motorists that the road space is shared. Learn more here centralsaanich.ca/roadmarkings.