Chalet Creek Culvert at West Saanich – Emergency Repair

Chalet Creek crosses underneath West Saanich Road just south of Tatlow in what we understood to be a 600 mm diameter concrete culvert.

The District undertook video inspection in December 2024 to assess the condition of the culvert. Results of the video showed a culvert comprising of short sections of concrete pipe on each end coupled to an original wood-stave pipe extending beneath the roadway.  Sections of the wood-stave pipe were observed to be missing or in various stages of collapse and in very poor condition. 

Above this culvert, and within the roadway embankment, are several utilities including the CRD water transmission line to Cloak Hill Reservoir, a Fortis gas distribution line, and a North Saanich water distribution line. Staff immediately conducted an initial assessment indicating the culvert is currently stable however have increased monitoring of the condition by scheduling monthly CCTV inspections, inserted flow monitoring equipment at the inlet, mobilized appropriate emergency pumping capacity in the event of failure, and have initiated planning for a repair as soon as possible. 

At the September 8, 2025 Regular Meeting Council authorized the direct award of engineering and construction inspection services for the Chalet Creek culvert replacement at West Saanich Road to Kerr Wood Leidel (KWL) for a total fee of $115,890. 

The District is working towards a tender date in February 2026 with construction to occur over the summer of 2026.  Construction activity will result in closure of West Saanich Road just south of Tatlow Road. 

More details will be provided as they are developed.