PERIOD REPORT
DATE: May 25, 2026 Report No. EPW-26-003
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT:TITLEEngineering & Public Works Departments - 2026 First Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Engineering & Public Works Departments from January 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Sanitary Sewer
• 4 new service laterals installed this period (4 total for the year).
• 10 service laterals replaced (due to blockages) this period (10 total for the year).
• Test and clear inspections as and when required.
• 1 new manhole installed this period (1 total for the year).
2. Pump Stations
• Crews have been carrying out routine maintenance activities.
• Annual pump maintenance/controls inspections of kiosks to be completed in the second period.
• Program also includes coordinating similar activities for View Royal pump stations.
• 0 overflow events occurred in the first period (0 total for the year).
3. Storm Drains
• 4 new service laterals installed this period (4 total for the year).
• 4 service laterals replaced (due to blockages) this period (4 total for the year).
• Test and clear inspections as and when required.
• 0 new manholes installed this period (0 total for the year).
• 1 catch basin replaced this period (1 total for the year).
• 0 new catch basins installed this period (0 total for the year).
4. Liquid Waste Management Plan
• Participated on the Esquimalt Liaison Committee with community group representatives and CRD staff regarding the Sewer Treatment Plant. There are now two meetings per year, along with two email updates by the CRD. The 2026 meetings are in March and September. CRD continues to receive and investigate odour complaints.
• CRD completing update to the I&I section of the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan with ongoing work by CRD continuing throughout 2026.
5. Roads
• Pothole repairs being carried out as required.
• Painting of curbs, driveway tips, crosswalks and stop bars started in the first period and will continue in the second period.
• Centre line painting on roads will occur in the second period.
• Crack sealing will occur in the second period.
• Major repair/minor capital works to begin in the second period with several locations requiring repairs via asphalt removal and replacement.
• Approximately 133.80 tonnes of asphalt placed for the first period (133.80 tonnes total for the year).
6. Traffic Management
• The traffic signal and crosswalk inspections was completed by a contractor in the third period of 2025. Staff received the review summary in the first period of 2026 and have identified required maintenance/replacements initiatives for 2026. Several of the deficiencies were resolved through Esquimalt Road - Phase 1 works.
• Traffic Calming planning for 2026 was completed in the first period with the following projects identified for implementation in the second and third periods:
§ Proposed Speed Humps:
• (1) 1198 Old Esquimalt Road
• (4) Colville Road between Lampson and Carrie
• (2) Carrie Street between Colville and Ellery
§ Corridor Traffic Calming
• Selkirk Avenue has been identified as a priority location due to elevated traffic volumes/speeds. Further engagement with residents will occur in the second period with staff reporting back to Council in the second period.
• As a part of the lower posted speed limits, staff are reviewing the sizing, application and condition of traffic signage in the Township. Staff will look to reduce sign clutter where warranted.
7. Sidewalk Maintenance
• Carried out surface restoration for third parties.
• Approximately 16.6 cubic meters of concrete (includes curb and gutter and sidewalk panels) was placed in the third period (16.6 cubic meters total for the year).
• Approximately 62 linear meters was replaced in the first period (62 linear meters total for the year).
• Approximately 43 linear meters of new sidewalk installed in the first period (43 linear meters total for the year).
8. Sidewalk Ramps
• 2026 location(s) for annual accessibility improvements will be identified in the second period.
9. Trip Hazards
• As per Council Policy PLAN-17 Sidewalk Maintenance, trip hazard inspection is scheduled for the southern section of the Township in 2026 as part of the 3-year review cycle.
• Work completed:
o 31 - No.1 trip hazards completed this period (31 for the year).
o 0 - No. 2 trip hazards completed this period (0 for the year).
o 0 - No. 3 trip hazards completed this period (0 for the year).
10. Bus Shelters
• Maintenance is ongoing, including refuse collection and graffiti removal.
• Graffiti removal continues at bus shelters, as resources allow.
• 4 bus shelters were cleaned in the first period of 2026.
11. Solid Waste Management
Garbage and Kitchen Scraps Collection
• Operations normal.
• Number of additional garbage and organics bins purchased to the end of period = 22 (total additional bins purchased since 2014 = 609).
• Tonnage of garbage waste stream collected for period = 366.28 (total for the year = 366.28).
• Tonnage of kitchen scraps stream collected for period = 160.15 (total for the year = 160.15).
• Tonnage for garbage and kitchen scraps streams for the year = 526.43 (total for same period 2025 = 499.28).
• Garbage bins from initial 2014 program rollout are failing. Purchase of new waste bins to occur in the second period.
Yard and Garden
• Usage of transfer station during period:
o Esquimalt residents = 3,732 (3,732 total for the year).
o View Royal residents = 3,145 (3,145 total for the year).
o Commercial = 11 (11 total for the year).
o Tonnage removed from site = 433.04 (433.04 total for the year).
o Tonnage removed in 2025 first period = 427.74 (total for 2025 = 1,649.92).
Recycling
• Operations normal for first period.
• Staff preparing a new contract for tender in 2026 for municipal facilities.
12. Fleet
• Operations normal.
• Request for Proposal (RFP) for EV charging and electrical infrastructure at the Public Works Yard issued on April 24, 2026. RFP submissions close on May 14, 2026.
• Procured vehicles in progress:
§ Garbage truck purchased in first period of 2025 and awaiting delivery in 2026.
13. Work Orders
• Work orders for call outs and/or repairs at View Royal pump stations for the period = 3 (total for the year = 3).
• Work orders issued for asphalt/sidewalk repairs following work by other utilities for the period = 6 (total for the year = 6).
• Work orders issued for new sanitary and storm services to accommodate new development in the period = 5 (total for the year = 5).
• Work orders issued for new curb/gutter/sidewalk in preparation for new development in the period = 2 (total for the year = 2).
• Work orders issued to cap sanitary and storm services in preparation for new development in the period = 1 (total for the year = 1).
14. Public Works Calls For Service
• Number of Calls for Service assigned to Public Works this period = 408; compared with 392 in the same period of 2025 (total for 2026 = 408).
• Number of Calls for Service completed by Public Works this period = 385; compared with 377 in the same period of 2025 (total for 2026 = 385).
15.00. Capital Projects
15.01. Bi-Annual Traffic Counts
• Bi-annual traffic counts at 33 historic locations to be completed in the third period of 2026.
15.02. Review of SCADA Upgrade System
• The Township relies on CRD’s SCADA system for sanitary sewer pump station monitoring. A review and formalized agreement with CRD on this system is required. Staff expect to meet with the CRD to discuss updating the SCADA system in 2026.
15.03. Coastal Infrastructure Management
• No actions completed in this period. A review on priority structures is expected in 2026.
15.04. Westbay Walkway Design
• The wooden structure is showing its age and requires increased maintenance.
• In coordination with the Parks Department, staff developed a scope of work in the third period of 2026 for a structural assessment of the walkway to identify recommendations for maintenance and capital repairs. The assessment is expected to occur in the second period of 2026.
15.05. Parking Study
• The Integrated Parking Management Plan was endorsed by Council in the first period of 2024. The corresponding Action Plan that provides priorities and impacts was endorsed by Council in the second period of 2024.
• As part of the 2026 budget process, a Project Manager was approved with one of the projects they will work on being the actions in the Parking Action Plan, starting with transitioning Residential Parking to Permit Parking. The position was posted in the first period of 2026, with the hiring process and onboarding expected in the second period. A review of the current Residential Parking locations and exploration of a Permit Parking program is expected to begin in the third period.
15.06. Street Light Replacement Program
• Staff work with a consultant to calculate required lighting levels when each light is installed. For 2026 the following upgrades have been identified:
§ 32 standard LED replacements are expected
§ 28 ornamental LED replacements are expected
§ 7 new street light locations are being identified
• No new purple lights have been identified in the first period of 2026. Staff will complete a Township wide review in the third period of 2026 to identify any further deficient lights.
15.07. Active Transportation Network Plan Implementation
• Pedestrian Facilities:
§ Staff have retained a civil consultant in the first period of 2026 to refine and finalize the design to establish a sidewalk connection between Lyall and Munro on Swinford Street, Heald Avenue and Kinver Street (ATNP Action 1D). Staff anticipate tendering the project in the second period of 2026 with construction commencing in the same period.
• Cycling Facilities:
§ Bike/Scooters traffic counts on Tillicum Rd south of Gorge Point Park are as follows:
• First Period of 2025: 28,776; 94% bikes and 6% scooters.
• First Period of 2026: 38,472; 93% bikes and 7% scooters.
§ Bike/Scooters Traffic counter was installed on Esquimalt Road at Dunsmuir in early March 2026.
§ Esquimalt Road Phase 1 - Dominion to Joffre - Active Transportation Improvements
• Construction is primarily complete, with the corridor open for use and substantial completion is expected in the second period of 2026.
§ Esquimalt Road Phase 2 - Joffre to Canteen - Active Transportation Improvements
• Staff received 60% designs and completed detailed design engagement on Phase 2 in the first period of 2026. Following the review of the What We Heard Report on May 4, Council directed staff to proceed with detailed design and tendering, which is anticipated in the second period of 2026.
• Complete Street, Complete Intersections:
§ Esquimalt and Dunsmuir Intersection Review (ATNP Action 3B)
• Project complete
§ Craigflower Crossing Improvements (ATNP Action 3C)
• Project complete
§ Devonshire/Fairview (ATNP Action 3D)
• A change in right of way to establish a four-way stop at this intersection is warranted, with new signage expected in the second period of 2026.
• Implementation procedures, coordination and communications will be in place prior to the change taking place.
• Lower Speeds (ATNP Action 3M):
§ Staff continue to monitor speeds within the Township and utilize the annual traffic calming budget to identify/implement temporary and permanent improvements.
15.08. ETAG (Esquimalt Together Against Graffiti)
• In coordination with VicPD, an ETAG kickoff event took place in the second period of 2025. Interested volunteers registered with Public Works and were provided paint kits to paint over graffiti.
• To date, two volunteers have formally registered with Public Works and four paint kits have been provided.
• Staff are working with VicPD to schedule another ETAG event in the second period of 2026.
• Public Works will continue to support ETAG, with support from VicPD.
• Public Works and Parks Departments continue to carry out work on the public realm as required.
15.09. Sewer and Drain Capital / I&I
• Uganda Pump Station Upgrades began in the first period of 2026 with the new pumps being successfully installed. Electrical and controller upgrades will occur in the second period of 2026 with the backup generator scheduled to be installed in the third period of 2026.
• Failure of a storm sewer main underneath the E&N Railway caused flooding in the first period of 2026. Public Works has been managing water using vacuum trucks and bypass pumping. A detailed design was finished and tendering started in the first period for the replacement of the failed sewer main. Construction is anticipated in the summer and requires coordination with the CRD, Island Corridor Foundation, and Esquimalt Graving Dock.
15.10. Sewer Asset Management Plan
• In the first period of 2025, Council received the Sewer Asset Management Plan, the final deliverable for this project. Implementation of the plan to continue on an ongoing basis.
15.11. Storm Asset Management Plan
• This project is to develop an overall asset management plan for the storm sewer network that identifies long term funding requirements in order to maintain current levels of service. Flow monitoring, model calibration and analysis, and a water quality review at the outfalls finished in the first period of 2026. Pipe condition to be integrated with network capacity to determine project prioritization and overall network assessment in the second period. This project is anticipated to finish in the second period.
15.12. Facilities Asset Management Plan
• This project is to develop an overall asset management plan for municipal facilities. Work is well underway on the project with a consultant to build off the building condition assessments completed in 2025. This project is anticipated to finish in the second period of 2026.
15.13. Pavement Condition Assessment & Management Plan
• The final pavement management plan was presented to Council in the first period as part of the Capital Program Update. Implementation of the plan to continue on an ongoing basis.
16.0 Traffic Orders
• Number of Traffic Orders issued this period = 2; compared with 1 in the same period in 2025 (total for 2026 = 2).
17.0. Development Applications
• Number of development applications for Engineering comments this period = 18; compared with 16 in the same period in 2025 (total in 2026 = 18). This number includes rezoning and subdivision applications.
• Number of building permit applications for Engineering comments this period = 49; compared with 15 in the same period in 2025 (total in 2026 = 49). This number includes demo permits.
II. COMMITTEES
• No Engineering staff is appointed to sit on any Council appointed committees.