Project Updates

November 4  The Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station has officially reopened after a temporary construction closure.

Click here for the Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station operating hours.

October 21  The project is nearing completion and the Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station is reopening Thursday November 4, 2021.

To provide better traffic flow and increased safety for site users, haulers and staff, the transfer station now has multiple access points:

• the first entrance is for haulers only
• the second entrance is to access the waste disposal area and then continues to the recycling area before exiting the site
• the third entrance is to access the recycling area only

Other site features include:

• a new waste disposal area with additional bins for household garbage, scrap metal and yard waste
• a recycling area to drop off printed paper, packaging and tires
• used oil and antifreeze collection that is scheduled to start in the spring

Pass card implementation and collection of disposal fees will go into effect in spring 2022, after a pass card kiosk and a cashless point of sale (for non-pass card users) is installed at the site. The Regional District is currently defining the catchment area for pass cards and they will be mailed out to residents in advance of the spring implementation. There will be no charge to access the recycling area.

Click here for the Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station operating hours.

October 1  Construction is moving along at Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station with the pouring of concrete pads and installation of the safety rail system. The project is on track, and the site is expected to reopen in early November.

In spring 2022, swipe card access will be implemented for residents using this transfer station site. More information on this new initiative will be posted on this page by early in the new year. 

September 17  Work continues at Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station and a portion of the buried municipal solid waste has been removed from the site.

The lower section designated for waste disposal has been developed and leveled. Lock block walls have been erected and forms are in place for concrete to be poured next week. 

August 13   The construction at Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station is up and running with several initial works completed in the last week. The bin wall and metal frame have been deconstructed and are ready to be recycled or reused in this project. Clearing and grubbing have also been completed. 

It is anticipated that the site will reopen November 1, 2021.

July 15   The active construction at the Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station is experiencing delays given the following circumstances:

• Spring load restrictions on Cummings Road were increased this spring from the usually 70% to 50% legal axel loading. This prevented heavy equipment getting into the site, and the project start date was moved from May 1 to June 1.  
• A bird nesting survey needed to be completed and confirmed the presence of occupied nests in several areas of the construction project. Under section 34 of the Provincial Wildlife Act construction must wait until the nests are no longer occupied:
  
  “Vegetation clearing is likely to destroy birds’ nests, so it should be done only when the nests are not occupied. To comply with Section 34(iii) of the Act, clearing that must be done during the nesting season and must be preceded by nest surveys to confirm that active nests will not be affected.”

• Work continues to secure required outstanding permits with multiple government agencies for this construction project. 

Looking for details on alternate disposal locations?
The operating hours for all Regional District transfer stations can be found here. Shelley Regional Transfer Station is the preferred alternate disposal location during this temporary construction closure of the Cummings Road Transfer Station.

Recycling or composting questions?
Visit sortsmart.ca or call the Waste Diversion Team directly at 250-960-4433.

June 17   Preliminary work has begun at the site, including the removal of the bins, signs and some electric temporary fencing.

Given that the transfer station is located on a former landfill, it is considered a contaminated site. The site is also leased Crown land and does not belong to the Regional District. As a result, some of the construction processes aren’t as straight forward as other commercial or residential construction projects.

There are a number of permits from multiple agencies that the RDFFG is working to obtain before construction can advance further. Additionally, we are aware that a number of area birds construct nests in the lock block wall and trees at the site. As such, a bird nesting survey needs to be conducted by an independent, professional, approved local firm, as is required by a number of provincial and federal laws. The purpose of bird nest surveys is to confirm active nests or protected raptor nests are not present in areas where clearing is proposed.

The survey was part of the project budget so no extra costs are to be incurred.

While active construction at the site has slowed temporarily, there is plenty of work happening in order to meet the timeline of a November opening.

FAQs