Prince George City Council has approved a permanent fix for the Ferguson Lake Road washout.
Ferguson Lake Road was closed in May due to the washout, and was reopened to single-lane traffic around two weeks later.
According to a staff report presented to City Council at Monday’s meeting, the existing drainage cross culvert could not handle what city staff suspected was a sudden surge of water generated by a failed dam.
Staff noted “it looked like it was potentially an old beaver dam that may have been modified.”
“As the seasonal creek is considered fish-bearing, the immediate re-installation of a cross-culvert was not feasible due to the regulatory requirements,” said Director of Civic Operations Blake McIntosh.
“To reopen the road as soon as possible, a prefabricated one-lane bridge was installed, the bridge is currently in place and is functioning well to provide local access to Ferguson Lake Recreational Area and the residential properties beyond.”
Administration requested $430,000 in funding to permanently install the bridge that is currently in place.
“Permits have been approved by the necessary regulatory bodies that will allow for a channel works to be completed in support of a permanent installation,” McIntosh said.
“This solution requires significantly less funding than a comparable open-channel culvert crossing, and will still meet fish habitat requirements. Installation will also be more efficient and Ferguson Lake Road access will be reinstated in less time.”
According to the staff report, the $430,000 price tag is less than half the cost (in today’s dollars) of an open bottom cross culvert that was installed along North Kelly Road in 2020.
McIntosh also noted the decking of the bridge could potentially need renewal in about 20 to 25 years.
Council unanimously approved the funding.
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