Roads & Sidewalks

90 km of road, 23 km of sidewalk: what Civic Works keeps in repair

Civic Works maintains about 90 kilometres of paved roads and 23 kilometres of sidewalks across Castlegar. That includes the pavement itself, the gravel roads and alleyways, the curbs, the streetlights, the road signs, and the culverts that keep spring runoff from flooding your yard. One exception: Columbia Avenue south of 18th Street is a provincial highway, see the section below for who to call there.

Pothole patching and gravel roads

Crews use infrared patching during spring and summer to make permanent repairs. In shoulder seasons (cold or wet), cold patch is the temporary fix until the weather cooperates. Gravel roads and alleyways are graded and resurfaced continuously from spring through summer.

Spring road clean-up

The annual spring sweeping program removes the winter's sand and debris from City streets. It runs March through June, weather depending. Crews start on Columbia Avenue and main arterial roads, then move to higher-elevation residential areas before working downward. The work happens in three steps: coarse particles first, then fine material sweeping and washing, then a final wash.

Watch for "Street Sweeping in Your Area" signs in the days before crews arrive. Move vehicles off the street when you see them, the sweeper can't get a clean pass around parked cars.

Streetlights and signs

Spring assessments determine which streetlights and signs need repair or replacement. Work is completed throughout the year as conditions allow. If you notice a streetlight out, an obscured stop sign, or a missing street name, report it through the Request Hub.

Provincial highways

Not every paved road in Castlegar is a City road. Columbia Avenue from 18th Street southward is a provincial highway, managed by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit. The City does not maintain or control that section. For potholes, snow concerns, or other issues on that stretch:

Yellowhead Road and Bridge: 1-888-630-1420.

Creek and culvert inspections

City crews regularly inspect creeks and culverts to prevent blockages that could cause property damage during spring runoff. If you notice a blocked culvert near your property, report it before the next big rain or melt.