Prince Rupert residents can expect a construction-packed year as the city rolls out approximately $150 million in capital projects in 2026, nearly four times the $39.5 million spent in 2025. The announcement came on May 22, 2026, with city officials calling this an ‘unprecedented renewal’ that will mean ongoing road closures, detours, and temporary service interruptions throughout the community.
The centerpiece is the BIG Project, a massive effort to replace aging water and sewer lines that were mostly installed before 1960 and are reaching the end of their service life. The city expects to pour more than $50 million into the BIG Project alone this year, with about $31.9 million already spent by early March 2026. The total program is estimated at roughly $205 million over three to four years, backed by $77.2 million from the federal government, $65 million from the province, and $45 million in municipal borrowing.
While early progress on the BIG Project was slower than hoped, city officials say they have now taken steps to speed things up, and nearly 10 percent of priority replacement areas are already done. This year’s work will include building a new water chlorination facility, starting pilot work for a water treatment plant, replacing a submarine water line, repairing wastewater outfalls, upgrading the Moresby Wetland Treatment system, improving the Ridley Island lagoon landfill, and constructing a new Public Works building.
To help pay for the work, the 2026 budget includes a 3.7 percent property tax increase, meaning the average homeowner will pay about $80 more this year. The city says dividends from its development corporation, Prince Rupert Legacy Inc., will offset some of the costs and soften the impact on taxpayers.
