May 28, 2020 - Council approved the plan to remove 4 large maple trees from Oak Bay Avenue that were causing sidewalk heaving, interference with underground infrastructure (power/telecommunications conduits, water services) and tripping hazards.  A report from the Manager of Parks Services describing the issues and the way ahead can be found here.

Scope of project:

• Removal of trees (1-2 days)
• Removal of stumps (2-7 days per stump, due to proximity of underground infrastructure such as conduits, water service lines, etc) - requires complete sidewalk closure 10 meters in each direction
• Temporary asphalt repair of sidewalk (1-2 days)
• Permanent concrete repair of sidewalks/replanting of trees (several weeks)

The initial project concept was to complete all of the work during the period of April-June 2020, when businesses were shut mostly shut down due to COVID-19.  Staff determined to take a slower approach to the project in order to minimize summer disruptions to businesses re-opening along the Avenue.

The project is jointly managed and executed by Parks Services and Public Works.

Project Status:

• Mid-July 2020 - First two trees removed, replanted and concrete work completed.
• October 8, 2020 - Final four trees on Oak Bay Avenue removed.
• December 2020 - project was been delayed until the new year, in order to minimize disruptions to businesses during the lead up to the Christmas holiday season.  The aim at that time was to complete tree removal and temporary rehabilitation of the sidewalks in early 2021, with permanent concrete rehabilitation and tree planting to occur in the March/April timeframe, weather permitting.
• May, 2021 - the project has been put on hold as the District works to resolve right of way issues related to the proximity of private property adjacent to the trees in question.  See this report for more information.
• December, 2021 - the District is finalizing the rights of way issues related to the proximity of private property adjacent to the trees in question. The project has been put on temporary hold during the month of December to accommodate increased pedestrian traffic due to the busy holiday season. It is estimated that work will take between 2-3 weeks per individual tree. There will be an excavation around each tree to remove the stump which will be roughly 3 meters in diameter and 1.2 meteres deep. Upon removal a backfill with structural soil will take place, and a new tree well will be installed for the new tree. This will be followed by a permanent concrete repair which should take around 7 days to complete per tree. This work is weather dependent and is scheduled to begin upon completion of Thompson Avenue Drain Project.  Work is expected to resume in March of 2022.
• April 4, 2022 - work has begun on the first location, 2239 Oak Bay Avenue.  The construction notice for this phase of the work can be found here.
• April 27, 2022 - work is substantially complete at the first location, 2239 Oak Bay Avenue.  Work is set to commence shortly at the second location, 2200 Oak Bay Avenue (Pharmasave).  The construction notice for this phase of the work can be found here.
• May 11, 2022 - work at the second location, 2200 Oak Bay Avenue (Pharmasave) is nearing completion.  Work is set to commence shortly at the third location, 2250 Oak Bay Avenue (in front of Side Street Studio).  The construction notice for this phase of the work can be found here.
• June 2, 2022 - work at the second location, 2200 Oak Bay Avenue (Pharmasave) is substantially complete, with tree planting to occur shortly.  Work at the third location, 2250 Oak Bay Avenue (Side Street Studio) is substantially complete, with tree planting to occur shortly.  Planning activities for the final location, in front of Ivy's Bookshop, is currently in progress.
• July 12, 2022 - construction work to replace the final tree in front of Ivy's Bookshop has been delayed until end of summer, in order to reduce negative impacts to businesses and residents during the summer season.

Questions can be directed to the project manager, James Davison, in the Department of Engineering Services, at 250-598-3311 or jdavison@oakbay.ca