Saanich trees spared after public outcry

There's relief in a Saanich neighbourhood after regional officials came upwith a new plan tospare dozens of trees that were in the path of a pipe that's needed as part of Greater Victoria'slong-awaited sewage treatment system.

Dozens of trees, including valued Garry Oaks,line Grange Road in Saanich. Residents, such asSimon McVaugh-Smock, were appalled by the idea they could be lost.

"It was a nightmare thinking about how the street would look without the trees," he said.

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The Capital Regional District (CRD) is installing a 19-kilometre pipe to convey residual solidsfrom the newsewage treatment plant atMcLoughlin Point inEsquimalt to the Hartland landfill in Saanich.

Part of that pipe is to be buried under Grange Road, just northwest of the city boundary with Victoria.

Originally, the pipe was to be placed in an existing utility trench under the road. But accessing that trench would have required removing 50 or more trees along the street.

Push back from the neighbourhood prompted the CRD to revisit the plan. Now, the pipe will be shifted to different alignment under the road to spare the trees.

Change adds costs

The change will cost more and take longer, said deputy project director Elizabeth Scott. Residents will also have to deal with rock blasting.

"What we did hear clearly from residents was that they would prefer to have that impact than have the trees removed," she said.

"The trees are really what they hold dear to their hearts. So what we are going to do is construct the pipe slightly to the west. Through doing that, we will be able to preserve the trees."

While the final cost of making the change isn't yet known, it's expected to be covered within the project's existing budget, Scott said.

For McVaugh-Smock, thetrade-off is well worth it to protect the character of the street.

"I, along with other residents that I am in communication with about this project, are just delighted with what we are hearing," he said.

The CRD will also hire anarboristto ensure all steps are taken to protect the trees during the different phases of construction. Residents are still a bit worried about whether all the trees can withstand blasting, McVaugh-Smock said.

"It's not over until it's over. But the news today is very good news," he said.

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The original construction along Grange Roadallowed for the installation of sidewalks, curbs and gutters. The CRD will now work with Saanichinstead to see what is possible, Scott said.

The planfor the entire route of the pipe doescall for two trees to be planted for every tree that is removed due to construction, at the discretion of the various municipalities involved.

Construction on Grange Road is expected to begin in February or March.

The $765 million sewage treatment project started taking shape in 2017 after decades ofdebate over the project.