Changes to traffic are coming to Northfield Rd., beginning Tuesday as crews install underground water mains. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

major projects

Lane closures and traffic delays expected on Nanaimo’s Northfield Rd.

May 23, 2023 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — Substantial delays and traffic implications are due to start on a main artery in and out of the city.

Crews working on the Midtown Gateway and Midtown Water Supply projects will be digging up sections of Northfield Rd., near the intersection with Boxwood Rd., to install underground infrastructure.

From Tuesday, May 23 through Friday, May 26, alternating lane closures will be in effect for traffic coming off and going onto the Nanaimo Parkway. The traffic light at Boxwood Rd. will also be deactivated with flaggers on scene helping guide traffic.

After a weekend break, May 29 will see westbound traffic reduced to one lane.

Further disruptions are scheduled for May 30 and June 9 with Boxwood Rd. affected north of the intersection with Northfield Rd. with access to the car wash and Petro-Can gas station available via Northfield Rd. only.

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Work is expected to wrap by June 9.

(City of Nanaimo)

Crews will be on scene 24 hours a day through the first phase of construction beginning Tuesday. After May 29, work hours will revert to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

The City said in a statement they’re working to minimize disruption to travellers and are hoping to complete installation of a new water pipe across Northfield Rd. as soon as possible.

Other recent closures, focused on Bowen Rd., have been completed ahead of schedule.

The Midtown Water Supply Project is an upgrade on the City’s water capacity and service delivery, while the Gateway project is a reconfiguration of traffic around the Bowen Rd., Northfield Rd., Boxwood Rd. corridor.

Both projects are due for completion in 2024.

(City of Nanaimo)

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