Skip to content

Work to continue on dike project

Work on the West Fernie dike project is set to begin at the end of the month.

Work on the West Fernie dike project is set to begin at the end of the month.

Brian Funke, RDEK Engineering Services Manager, said construction crews will arrive in the next week or two. “The work basically will be tying into the new dike that was constructed in 2008, they’ll be extending the dike westerly to Hesketh Street.” Funke stated. “The crew will be stripping some of the organics away and bringing in dike material to bring it up in places and tying it back to high ground.”

The construction contract has been awarded to Fiorentino Brothers Contracting and the work is expected to be complete by the end of October.

“This will provide protection to West Fernie residents from flood waters,” explained Funke. “Right now that portion of bank is below the 100 and 200 year flood levels. This will construct it to the 200 year level to protect homes and West Fernie infrastructure.”

The RDEK was given $1,500,000 for the project from the Building Canada Fund. The West Fernie dike project began in 2008 and this is the second phase of construction. Funke said there are a couple more phases to be completed in the next year, in and around the highway bridge. Completion of the entire project is set for early 2014.

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.