Sebastion Rd. in Lantzville is a no-go for people hoping to drive to the beach. Crews have begun initial work to install sewer lines to area homes. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

growing pains

Beach access in Lantzville restricted as crews start large sewer project

May 20, 2020 | 1:03 PM

LANTZVILLE — Two beach access points in lower Lantzville are closed as crews begin an ambitious sewer installation project for more than 300 local households.

The District of Lantzville expects the Sebastion Rd. beach access point will be closed until the end of September. Pedestrian and local traffic can still get through.

Harper Rd., one block to the south on Lantzville Rd., is anticipated to be closed during week day work hours until the end of May. Beach access at the end of Harper Rd. will be open during non-work hours, according to the District.

While the two roads are well used links to Lantzville’s popular beach front, there are several other public accesses to the community’s shoreline.

Lantzville is replacing 307 aging septic fields in upper and lower Lantzville with sewer service, which is expected to be complete next spring.

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District documents showed the total maximum cost per property, if paid at once, increased more than 40 per cent to $14,000. If property owners decided to pay the amount with a 30-year payment option, it will cost closer to $20,000.

Residents don’t have an option to decline sewer service and maintain septic.

A petition against the project in light of rising costs failed in early February when nine per cent of the phase three sewer property owners officially lodged their opposition to carrying on.

Fred Spears, the District’s director of public works, previously told NanaimoNewsNOW the rising cost of labour and materials led to the higher price.

He said the full scope of the project was also not known in 2016.

The District hooked in sewer lines to hundreds of other smaller lots in Lantzville in two prior phases in recent years.

It’s expected future sewer service in Lantzville will be developer-driven and not initiated by the District.

Lantzville’s phase three sewer project is expected to be complete prior to a March 31, 2021 deadline in order to receive senior government funding to cover half of the $8.6 million costs.

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