PERIOD REPORT
DATE: January 26, 2026 Report No. EPW-26-001
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT:TITLEEngineering & Public Works Departments - 2025 Third Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Engineering & Public Works Departments from September 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Sanitary Sewer
• 3 new service laterals installed this period (14 total for the year).
• 11 service laterals replaced (due to blockages) this period (32 total for the year).
• Test and clear inspections as and when required.
• 0 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 were completed in the third period.
• Program also includes coordinating similar activities for View Royal pump stations.
• 1 overflow event occurred December 10 at Grafton pump station (1 total for the year).
3. Storm Drains
• 1 new service lateral installed this period (6 total for the year).
• 3 service laterals replaced (due to blockages) this period (11 total for the year).
• Test and clear inspections as and when required.
• 0 new manholes installed this period (0 total for the year).
• 0 catch basins replaced this period (7 total for the year).
• 0 catch basins repaired this period (1 total for the year).
• 0 new catch basins installed this period (1 total for the year).
4. Liquid Waste Management Plan
• Participated on the Esquimalt Liaison Committee. There are now two meetings per year, along with two email updates by the CRD. The 2025 meetings were in February 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 throughout 2025 that will carry into 2026.
• Reallocation of 0.07 ML/day of allocated sewer capacity from the Township to the Xʷsepsəm Nation finalized in the second period of 2025.
5. Roads
• Pothole repairs being carried out as required.
• Painting of curbs, driveway tips, crosswalks and stop bars were carried out in the second period.
• Centre line painting on roads completed in the second period.
• Crack sealing completed in the third period of 2025.
• Major repair/minor capital works to began in the third period with several locations requiring repairs via asphalt removal and replacement.
• Approximately 179.78 tonnes of asphalt placed for the third period (435.04 tonnes total for the year).
6. Traffic Management
• The traffic signal and crosswalk maintenance review program was completed by a contractor in the third period. Staff expect to receive the review summary in the first period of 2026 and will use this information identify and implement any required maintenance or replacements.
• Traffic Calming implementations completed in the third period:
§ Speed Humps:
• (4) Dominion Road between Devonshire and Craigflower
• (2) Selkirk Avenue between Arcadia and Uganda
§ Speed Reader Signs (2 per location):
• Colville Road between Lampson and Pheonix - Playground Zone
• Fraser Street between Esquimalt and Lyall - Playground Zone
• Old Esquimalt Road between Head and Aldebury - School Zone
§ Intersection Traffic Calming
• Old Esquimalt Road and Aldebury Road - Stop sign relocation, median curb and pavement marking renewals
7. Sidewalk Maintenance
• Carried out surface restoration for third parties.
• Approximately 46.2 cubic meters of concrete (includes curb and gutter and sidewalk panels) was placed in the third period (137.6 cubic meters total for the year).
• Approximately 24 linear meters was replaced in the third period (123 linear meters total for the year).
• Approximately 30 linear meters of new sidewalk installed in the third period (163 linear meters total for the year).
8. Sidewalk Ramps
• Lyall and Swinford was identified as the location for 2025 accessibility improvements and work was completed in the third period. 2026 location(s) for annual accessibility improvements will be identified in the first period.
9. Trip Hazards
• As per Council Policy PLAN-17 Sidewalk Maintenance, trip hazard inspection survey continued in the third period as part of the 3-year review cycle.
• Work completed:
o 5 - No.1 trip hazards completed this period (48 for the year).
o 2 - No. 2 trip hazards completed this period (3 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.
• Due to increased demands on resources and increased graffiti, cleanliness at bus shelters has decreased. Staff are exploring options to increase capacity to address cleanliness of bus shelters, including piloting residential garbage bins at select location to increase safety and frequency of collection. Graffiti removal continues at bus shelters, as resources allow. In the third period, staff increased frequency of refuse collection and graffiti removal at the bus shelters.
11. Solid Waste Management
Garbage and Kitchen Scraps Collection
• Operations normal.
• Number of additional garbage and organics bins purchased to the end of period = 4 (total additional bins purchased since 2014 = 587).
• Tonnage of garbage waste stream collected for period = 370.21 (total for the year = 1033.96).
• Tonnage of kitchen scraps stream collected for period = 187.06 (total for the year = 529.75).
• Tonnage for garbage and kitchen scraps streams for the year = 1563.71 (total for same period 2024 = 1566.48).
• Garbage bins from initial 2014 program rollout are failing. Purchase of new waste bins occurred in the third period.
Yard and Garden
• Usage of transfer station during period:
o Esquimalt residents = 5,030 (14,755 total for the year).
o View Royal residents = 4,439 (12,283 total for the year).
o Commercial = 32 (65 total for the year).
o Tonnage removed from site = 657.38 (1,649.92 total for the year).
o Tonnage removed in 2024 third period = 834.76 (total for 2024 = 2,169.32).
Recycling
• Operations normal for third period.
• Staff preparing a new contract for tender in 2026 for municipal facilities.
12. Fleet
• Operations normal.
• Council approved the Fleet Electrification Plan in the second period of 2024. In the third period of 2025, staff worked with a consultant to develop a phased plan for charging infrastructure at the Public Works Yard.
• Specifications preparation underway for procurement:
§ EV Survey van
• Procured vehicles in progress:
§ Used garbage packer (curbster) acquired from District of Saanich and put into service in third period.
§ 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 = 2 (total for the year = 11).
• Work orders issued for asphalt/sidewalk repairs following work by other utilities for the period = 13 (total for the year = 42).
• Work orders issued for new sanitary and storm services to accommodate new development in the period = 2 (total for the year = 13).
• Work orders issued for new curb/gutter/sidewalk in preparation for new development in the period = 1 (total for the year = 6).
• Work orders issued to cap sanitary and storm services in preparation for new development in the period = 2 (total for the year = 8).
14. Public Works Calls For Service
• Number of Calls for Service assigned to Public Works this period = 415 (total for the year = 1390).
• Number of Calls for Service completed by Public Works this period = 391 (total for the year = 1320).
15.00. Capital Projects
15.01. Aerial Photograph
• Coordination with CRD complete for bi-annual aerial photo fly over. Orthophoto expected in the first 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 for a structural assessment of the walkway to identify recommendations for maintenance and capital repairs. The assessment is expected to begin in the first 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 2025 budget process, a Project Manager was identified to begin implementation of the actions in the Action Plan, starting with transitioning Residential Parking to Permit Parking. The position wasn’t funded, and the delivery of this program continues to be delayed. A Project Manager funded through capital funding will be included in the 2026 budget process for consideration, along with capital funding for this project.
15.06. Integrated Resource Management Business Case Development
• Staff provided Council with an update in September and Council directed staff to “not pursue further exploration of Integrated Resource Management (IRM) at this time in the Township and instead support a regional approach to IRM led by the CRD.”
15.07. Street Light Replacement Program
• Staff work with a consultant to calculate required lighting levels when each light is installed.
• 86 LED replacements were installed in 2025.
• One purple light was replaced in the third period of 2025. Staff completed a Township wide review in the third period of 2025 to identify any further deficient lights. Two purple lights were identified that will be replaced in 2026. These lights will be replaced under warranty by a third-party contractor.
15.08. Banners
• Banner replacement program being managed by a staff working group led by Human Resources and Community Relations staff. Public Works continues to support this program through replacements when new banners arrive.
15.09. Active Transportation Network Plan Implementation
• Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) Refresh:
§ In December 2025, staff provided Council with proposed ATNP priority project lists for pedestrians, cyclists, and intersection improvements. Council approved modified lists for each of these aspects of the plan to reset the upcoming priority projects in the ATNP.
• Pedestrian Facilities:
§ Staff continue to refine concepts for the sidewalk connections between Lyall and Munro (ATNP Action 1D) on Swinford Street, Heald Avenue and Kinver Street. Staff will look to retain a consultant to administer tender/construction in 2026.
• Cycling Facilities:
§ Bike/Scooters Traffic Counts on Tillicum Rd south of Gorge Point Park are as follows:
• Third Period of 2024: 30,758; 90% bikes and 10% scooters.
• Third Period of 2025: 41,540; 94% bikes and 6% scooters
§ Esquimalt Road Phase 1 - Dominion to Joffre - Active Transportation Improvements
• Construction is ongoing and nearing substantial completion. Project is on schedule to be complete in the first period of 2026.
§ Esquimalt Road Phase 2 - Joffre to Canteen - Active Transportation Improvements
• Staff received 60% designs and will be completing detailed design engagement on Phase 2 in the first period of 2026. Staff will complete a What We Heard Report for Council’s review in spring 2026.
• Complete Street, Complete Intersections:
§ Esquimalt and Dunsmuir Intersection Review (ATNP Action 3B)
• Intersection improvements are nearing completion as a part of Esquimalt Road phase 1 project.
§ Craigflower Crossing Improvements (ATNP Action 3C)
• Crosswalks along the corridor are now operational and staff are currently reviewing project deficiencies with the contractor.
§ Devonshire/Fairview (ATNP Action 3D)
• Staff retained a consultant to review the 4-way stop warrant in the third period of 2025. A change in right of way to establish a four-way stop at this intersection is warranted and staff will look to implement this change in the second period of 2026. Implementation procedures and communications will be in place prior to the change taking place.
§ Conduct Minor Intersection Reviews (ATNP Action 3F)
• Further reviews to occur as a part of traffic calming opportunities and newly revised priorities.
§ Admirals/Colville Intersection Review (ATNP Action 3G)
• Staff to review signal timing and phasing and explore opportunities for minor intersection changes in 2026. This work will inform detailed design work and budget requests in 2027 for construction in 2028.
§ Esquimalt/Head Intersection Review (ATNP Action 3H)
• Sidewalk/corner ramps and traffic signal cabinet/controller upgrades currently identified to be completed in first period of 2026 with Esquimalt Road Phase 1.
§ Esquimalt/Admirals Intersection Review (ATNP Action 3J)
• Sidewalk/corner ramps and traffic signal cabinet/controller upgrades currently identified for inclusion in Esquimalt Road Phase 2.
• 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. Staff work with ICBC for grant support when eligible.
15.10. ETAG (Esquimalt Together Against Graffiti)
• In coordination with VicPD, an ETAG kickoff event took place in the second period. 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 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.
15.11. Sewer and Drain Capital / I&I
• Uganda Pump Station Upgrades were awarded to Don Mann Excavating Ltd. In the third period of 2025. Construction to begin in the first period of 2026 on Uganda Pump Station upgrades after the procurement of the required equipment is complete.
15.12. 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.
15.13. 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. Staff awarded a contract to a consultant to complete this work in the third period. This project is anticipated to finish in spring/summer 2026.
15.14. Facilities Asset Management Plan
• This project is to develop an overall asset management plan for municipal facilities. Facility condition assessments finished in the second period of 2025. Staff awarded a contract to a consultant in the third period to use the condition assessment information and develop an asset management plan. This project is anticipated to finish in spring/summer 2026.
15.15. Pavement Condition Assessment & Management Plan
• The purpose of this project is to collect updated condition data on all roads in the Township. The condition data that was collected in the second period was used to develop a pavement management plan that prioritizes repairs by individual road segments and determines necessary funding to maintain service levels. This information will be used to update the department’s 20-year capital plan.
16.0 Traffic Orders
• Number of Traffic Orders issued this period = 5 (total for the year = 31).
17.0. Development Applications
• Number of development applications for Engineering comments this period = 16 (total for the year = 51). This number includes rezoning and subdivision applications.
• Number of building permit applications for Engineering comments this period = 33 (total for the year = 64). This number includes demo permits.
II. COMMITTEES
• No Engineering staff is appointed to sit on any Council appointed committees.