The final two phases of the West Fernie Dike Project are set to begin this summer. Phases three and four will include rehabilitation work on the existing non-conforming dike, running from approximately 300 metres upstream of the West Bridge to 700 metres downstream of the West Bridge.
“Phase three and four will be basically putting down more bank protection and shaping the bank so it meets provincial specifications,” explained Brian Funke, RDEK Engineering Services Manager. “There is an existing dike that was put in roughly 15 years ago, so we’ll be shaping that. It was put down in sort of an urgent situation and it could use some reshaping.”
Northwest Hydraulic Consultants will be completing the work, which is scheduled to begin this summer and extend into early fall.
Phases three and four are the last steps in the project and will offer greater flood protection to West Fernie residents.
“Flood protection will be provided to 100 year flood events, so protecting those properties and infrastructure in behind the dike, as well as bank protection,” said Funke.
The improvements to the dike are just one part of the West Fernie Servicing and Restructuring Project, which aims to improve the area in an effort to have it join the City of Fernie.