Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain Expansion Project

Upgrading Key Sewer Infrastructure

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), in partnership with the City of Nanaimo, is preparing to kick off construction on the Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain Expansion Project – a project that is necessary to upgrade wastewater services to meet current and future needs.

About the Project

This key project includes a renewal of the pump station at Departure Bay Beach, as well as the installation of four kilometres of new sewer forcemain along Hammond Bay Road, from the pump station to the wastewater treatment plant on McGuffie Road.

The current infrastructure is over 50 years old and at the end of its life. Upgrading this portion of the wastewater system is critically important – it currently moves 75 per cent of the City of Nanaimo’s wastewater to the treatment facility.

Latest News (Updated May 2026)

  • Unidirectional traffic along Hammond Bay Road will be implemented beginning early 2027. The one-way (southbound) approach was selected follow extensive assessment of traffic patterns in the area.
    READ THE FULL UPDATE HERE.
  • Pre-construction work in the area is slated to begin this summer, with work to complete proactive traffic management tools off Hammond Bay Road underway.
  • Continued ground investigation work will continue through mid-late 2026 and will require intermittent single-lane alternating traffic.

Keeping you Informed

We understand this project will be disruptive and of high interest to many in the corridor and throughout the area. This page will be the primary source for updates and information will be shared proactively as details are confirmed.

We invite you to:

Upgrading Key Sewer Infrastructure

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), in partnership with the City of Nanaimo, is preparing to kick off construction on the Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain Expansion Project – a project that is necessary to upgrade wastewater services to meet current and future needs.

About the Project

This key project includes a renewal of the pump station at Departure Bay Beach, as well as the installation of four kilometres of new sewer forcemain along Hammond Bay Road, from the pump station to the wastewater treatment plant on McGuffie Road.

The current infrastructure is over 50 years old and at the end of its life. Upgrading this portion of the wastewater system is critically important – it currently moves 75 per cent of the City of Nanaimo’s wastewater to the treatment facility.

Latest News (Updated May 2026)

  • Unidirectional traffic along Hammond Bay Road will be implemented beginning early 2027. The one-way (southbound) approach was selected follow extensive assessment of traffic patterns in the area.
    READ THE FULL UPDATE HERE.
  • Pre-construction work in the area is slated to begin this summer, with work to complete proactive traffic management tools off Hammond Bay Road underway.
  • Continued ground investigation work will continue through mid-late 2026 and will require intermittent single-lane alternating traffic.

Keeping you Informed

We understand this project will be disruptive and of high interest to many in the corridor and throughout the area. This page will be the primary source for updates and information will be shared proactively as details are confirmed.

We invite you to:

Questions? Ask them here

Have any questions about the Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain Project? Share them here and the project team will get back to you!

Please Note:

  • We ask that only questions related to the project are asked here. Information provided here will not be shared with the RDN Board of Directors. 
  • To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include any information that could identify you or another person. Identifying information could include a person’s name, address, email or phone number. Questions that contain personal information will not be published.
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  • Hi, I live off up Uplands drive and my kids attend Uplands elementary school. I’m worried the increase in traffic along uplands drive will make their daily walk to school unsafe. What measures are being taken to make uplands, and the school zone specifically, safe for children? I’m hoping there will be more pedestrian controlled crosswalks and a bigger shoulder. Thanks

    KHenley asked 1 day ago

    Hello - thanks for your question. Proactive improvements are being planned along the potential bypass routes including points on Uplands Drive - the project team is assessing those plans now and will share details about what mitigation measures will be in place - and where - soon. 

  • During construction will the one-way protocol in the construction zone be 24 hours?

    KDG asked 4 days ago

    Hi KDG, thanks for the question. Yes, the unidirectional traffic will be in place 24 hours/day, as there will not be room for two-way traffic in areas that are under construction (even during inactive hours of night).

  • Will the barricade between Gulfview and Sundown be removed? That will certainly keep traffic moving and will bypass a good portion of the construction.

    Jazzy asked 5 days ago

    Thanks for your comments. Removing the bollards at Gulfview/Sundown was considered; however, no changes are being made at this time. Removing the bollards would reduce travel times for commuters, however it would also increase traffic on a roadway intended primarily for local use. Traffic conditions and community impacts will continue to be monitored throughout the project, and adjustments to the approach may be considered if warranted based on how conditions evolve. It should also be noted that any decision to remove the bollards would require City Council approval.

  • Will the barricade between Gulfview and Sundown be removed? That will certainly keep traffic moving and will bypass a good portion of the construction.

    Jazzy asked 5 days ago

     

  • How did extensive study result in such a badly flawed plan? Removing the bollards at gulfview/sundown would allow traffic southbound to bypass over half of the construction area, majorly reducing inconvenience to the vast majority of Hammond Bay residents. This bypass route would virtually eliminate the construction impacts for over three years of the five year timeline, especially if combined with a bypass via Planta/Sheridan ridge. Together, these routes would bypass construction around 3.6km, or 72% of the 5 km construction area. I think that allowing a few residents in gulfview to be prioritized and given preferential, private access to the public road in front of their homes is a bad choice. I say this as a resident of Tiki Way, who would be similarly negatively affected by my own proposal that would produce additional traffic on "my" road. Furthermore, southbound traffic bypass via that route would be leaving and joining Hammond Bay via right turns only, further improving safety and efficiency vs the poorly thought-out southbound only on Hammond Bay. Finally, the bypass route planned results in bypass traffic going through four additional elementary school zones (Rutherford, Uplands Park, Rock City, and Departure Bay) versus a southerly bypass that would traverse ZERO additional school xones. It would involve almost exclusively right turns via Vanderneuk/lost lake, gulfview, sundown and Oakridge. The only intersection requiring a left turn - at lost lake/Laguna way - could be reconfigured to reduce delays and improve safety (pedestrian crossings moved to west side of intersection only) I am extremely frustrated that the high paid personnel at the regional district have come up with such an inefficient and ill-considered plan that doesn't respect people's time whatsoever. The detour route proposed would result in an additional 10 minutes travel time EVERY SINGLE TIME I LEAVE MY HOUSE. For FIVE YEARS! This is true for all persons in the area, not to mention the additional cost and fuel usage to drive the extra distance (6km or roughly $3 per trip, roughly $140 and 8 hours of my life wasted every month). I am vehemently opposed to this plan in the current form.

    Lucasp asked 10 days ago

    Hello Lucasp - Thanks for your comments. Removing the bollards at Gulfview/Sundown was considered; however, no changes are being made at this time. Removing the bollards would reduce travel times for commuters, however it would also increase traffic on a roadway intended primarily for local use. Traffic conditions and community impacts will continue to be monitored throughout the project, and adjustments to the approach may be considered if warranted based on how conditions evolve. It should also be noted that any decision to remove the bollards would require City Council approval.

    We also wanted to clarify on your point about the length of time that this will impact residents. While we understand this is disruptive and will continue over a long-period of time, we want to be clear that two-way traffic will be available in segments where construction is not active. Depending on where your home is located, and your regular travel route, the impact could be much smaller. For example, if you live in Segment I (between McGuffie and Overlook Drive - see traffic segment map here), you will be limited to unidirectional traffic while work is in that area – however, once work moves to Segment H (Overlook to Planta Rd.), bi-directional traffic will be open in Segment I again – and drivers will be able to come and go from the north side.

     


  • Are the cyclist upgrades detailed anywhere in this project? Esp the marked B and C areas are super high risk. I’ve seen so many near head on collisions from drivers pulling out in to opposing lane to go around cyclists. Then opposing traffic has to veer in to the shoulder area. There is absolutely no wiggle room. The section between A and the biological station is the scariest on a bike. Piecemeal improvements are often more dangerous than not, as cyclists have to move in and out of traffic. Hammond Bay is a large corridor and should have designated cycle lanes. Recently in Kelowna and so impressed with what they’ve done.

    SJP asked 8 days ago

    Hello SJP - The City of Nanaimo is currently assessing options for surface improvements that can improve pedestrian and cyclist safety within the constricted roadway and limited budget. We understand there is a lot of interest in this, and more information is expected in later 2026, before construction begins.

  • In the traffic management strategy slideshow to Nanaimo Council at their meeting on May 25, one slide includes implementation of traffic calming measures in the Stephenson Point and Planta-Oakridge-Overlook areas (shaded map area). This is great news. What specific measures are planned/how will they be determined? I strongly encourage installation of speed bumps on the section of Planta Rd between Hammond Bay Rd and Oakridge Dr. This section has a blind hill and is often already used as a ‘shortcut’ by non-residents. In the last year, there are now several households with young children who bike and play on this road, right near the blind hill. I am concerned about their safety once the expansion project construction period begins if there are no traffic calming measures installed on this section of Planta.

    rchlly asked 12 days ago

    Hello rchlly - Thanks for your feedback. Speed bumps are one of the tools that will be used on the bypass routes to manage traffic while the larger detour is in place. The project team is finalizing plans for what management tools will be used in each location, and will circle back to the community with details when available.

  • Will the addition of bus pull-outs be considered where these are possible? I.e. an area that allows buses to move out of the main traffic flow to help minimize disruptions. I have often been stuck behind a stopped bus, with a parade of cars in front and behind me. It seems to me that this is the perfect opportunity to establish these areas. With ever increasing home and traffic density along Hammond Bay, it would greatly improve traffic flow and trip timing. When rapid transit finally comes to Nanaimo, Hammond Bay will be left out, moving progressively slower as density increases.

    Lynsmirl asked 11 days ago

    Hello - details around surface improvements are still being reviewed and assessed.  The City of Nanaimo is currently reviewing options for surface improvements within the constricted roadway and limited budget. More info about what roadway upgrades will be included as part of this construction is expected in later 2026, before construction begins. Follow along here for more updates are they're available,



  • With the recent discussion of a one way traffic management plan, can you please advise if this would apply to pedestrian and cyclist traffic as well or if there will be a way for these modes of transportation to continue in both directions? Specifically thinking of parents walking and biking their children to and from departure bay school.

    Gs11 asked 17 days ago

    Hello - Yes, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to go both ways in unidirectional vehicle traffic zones. Within construction zones, cyclist may be required to dismount and walk their bikes through the worksite. 

  • Is there a plan being considered or proposed to remove the bollards to open up Gulfview Drive to Sundown Drive as a detour route around Hammond Bay? If so, please provide details. Thanks

    gulfview resident asked 25 days ago

    Hello -  The project team is currently developing a traffic management plan that will look at options for maintaining traffic flow during construction on Hammond Bay Road. It will consider traffic management, potential alternate routes, traffic light timing, safety for all road users, emergency vehicle and service vehicle access, transit and more. The plan will include an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of opening the connection between Gulfview and Sundown to balance traffic flow and road safety; at this stage a recommendation has not been made – we will share updates here about the plan, once approved.

Page last updated: 09 Jun 2026, 09:23 AM