Chilliwack infrastructure project begins this week, delays likely over the next 6 months

CHILLIWACK/SARDIS – A public works project expected to last at least six months gets underway today in Sardis, one that will result in delays for Chilliwack motorists travelling on Watson Road between Tyson Road and Vedder Road.

Electronic road signage indicates construction is set to begin Monday, June 8, and last into December on a project the City of Chilliwack says will provide a safe pathway for active transportation users, improve traffic flow and safety, and include sanitary and drainage system improvements to ensure residents have reliable service for everyday needs.

Signage on Watson Road just west of the Tyson/Watson roundabout. (Image Credit: Mike Vanden Bosch.)

Chilliwack City Council voted in April 2026 to accept a proposal from B&B Heavy Civil Construction to upgrade and widen Watson Road between Tyson Road and Vedder Road in Sardis. Councillors voted to award a $7.5 million contract to B&B to widen Watson, integrate a continuous two-centre turning lane, add new street lighting and a continuous multi-use pathway on the north side of the road from Vedder to Tyson. B&B submitted the low bid of $7,429,600, followed by Sandpiper Construction’s bid of $9,134,900 and Ballina Contracting’s bid of $9,503,945. However, additional expenses involving utilities increased the total contract cost to $7.5 million. The city noted in a staff report prepared by Doug Mossey, manager of transportation and drainage, that Watson Road currently consists of two travel lanes with no dedicated turning lanes. While Watson Road currently includes an existing sidewalk and partial street lighting along the south side, the north side of the roadway remains largely unimproved.