FAQs
- The Departure Bay Pump Station (next to Departure Bay Beach, near the intersection of Hammond Bay and Departure Bay roads), will undergo a major upgrade;
- A new forcemain will be installed along Hammond Bay Road from the pump station to the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre (wastewater treatment facility) at McGuffie Road.
What is the Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain Project?
The Departure Bay Forcemain was constructed in 1974 to transport wastewater from the Departure Bay Pump Station to the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre. It carries wastewater from over half of the population in Nanaimo and is the largest of all forcemains operated by the RDN.
The forcemain and pump station need to be upgraded to accommodate current flows during storms, and future growth.
To upgrade this infrastructure:
How will construction impact traffic on Hammond Bay Road?
To install the new forcemain along Hammond Bay Road, several traffic management strategies have been evaluated to minimize wait times and impact to residents while maintaining key services and allowing for the quickest construction possible.
The approved strategy will see unidirectional (one-way) traffic flow along Hammond Bay Road beginning in early 2027. Northbound traffic will be redirected to a Rutherford/Uplands/Departure Bay Road detour route. Southbound traffic will continue along Hammond Bay Road.
One-way traffic will only be required within active work areas. Two-way traffic will remain available between active construction zones. For Example: If work is only happening in Section H, two-way traffic will be available in I and G, but drivers will only move southbound through ‘H’.
To get weekly updates on traffic impacts along Hammond Bay Road, subscribe to the City of Nanaimo weekly enewsletter which includes traffic updates.
How can I stay informed?
This webpage will be the primary hub for updates – subscribe to follow along and get the latest updates to your inbox. We’ll also be updating the community using newsletters, social media, advertising, signage and more.
Construction Plans
- Upgrades to pedestrian crossings
- Neighborhood traffic calming measures near the construction zone.
- Intersection improvements at Vanderneuk and Rutherford, and Uplands and Departure Bay Road.
When will construction start on Hammond Bay Road?
Construction on the road has been delayed due to pre-construction activities and is now expected to begin in early 2027 and continue to 2031.
What work is expected to happen during the pre-construction phase?
The pre-construction phase of work will begin this summer and involves on-going ground investigations and several proactive traffic improvements along the bypass corridor including:
I have concerns about my property being impacted by construction. Where can I learn more?
We understand some property owners in the area have questions about possible impacts to their property. Final design work for the project, which includes managing the connections to private property, is ongoing. Please contact the project team at dbsewerproject@rdn.bc.ca with questions.
What surface improvements can be expected to improve pedestrians and cyclist safety?
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. More info is expected in later 2026, before construction begins.
Traffic Management
- Northbound traffic will be directed on a bypass route via Rutherford/Uplands/Departure Bay Road. Improvements will be made to pedestrian crossings and intersections along the bypass route.
- Two-way traffic will be available between active construction segments- one-way traffic will only be required within active work areas. That means that if work is in Segment H, two way traffic will be available in Segment I, and Segment G - but only southbound through Segment H.
How will traffic be managed along Hammond Bay Road?
In order to manage traffic flow through the construction period, a unidirectional (southbound) will be installed on Hammond Bay Road. This means that drivers will only be able to travel the full length of Hammond Bay Road in a southbound direction (from McGuffie Road towards Departure Bay).
Have schools commutes, school buses, public transit and emergency services been considered as part of the traffic management plan?
Yes – The RDN developed the traffic management plan through a detailed assessment of current traffic patterns and by modeling the impacts of different traffic management approaches.
As part of this process, the project team consulted with key partners and service providers, including School District 68, Departure Bay Elementary, École Hammond Bay, BC Transit, Nanaimo Fire Rescue, BC Ambulance, and the RCMP, to help ensure that transportation and emergency response needs were considered throughout planning.
The completed traffic management plan includes measures to support continued access for emergency services, school transportation, and transit operations during construction.
How will emergency services access Hammond Bay Road during construction?
Emergency services will maintain two-way access through communication protocols between dispatch and construction crews.
Will the traffic bollards along Gulfview and Sundown Drive be removed to support traffic changes?
Removing the bollards at Gulfview/Sundown was considered; however, no changes are being made at this time. 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 school buses also be required to move in the one-way traffic?
The RDN is also working with the school district to accommodate two-way school bus operations throughout the project.
Will BC Transit bus routes be impacted during construction?
Yes, BC Transit Route 20A northbound will be detoured during construction, except during morning hours to help support school transportation needs. The details and impact of the detour will be shared once they are finalized.
Will there be increased traffic in other areas of the City?
It is expected that there will be increased traffic on Departure Bay Road, Uplands Drive and Rutherford Road while the unidirectional traffic on Hammond Bay Road is in place.
Will access to parks and beaches – like Piper’s Lagoon or Departure Bay Beach – be impacted?
Access will be maintained to all parks and public areas – though routes to and travel times may change over the course of the construction period.