BACKGROUND
To reduce combined sewer overflows into the Fraser River, decrease urban flooding due to climate change and improve the quality of water into the Fraser River from the West End neighbourhood, the City is advancing the next priority phase of the annual sewer separation program by separating combined sewers in the 16th Street, 18th Street and 20th Street catchments from 2024 to 2027.
Included in the larger West End Sewer Separation and Watermain Replacement Project scope is the installation of 24 rain gardens.
The rain gardens are being installed as part of the City’s Integrated Stormwater Management Plan, which was approved by City Council in 2017 for implementation. Furthermore, Stormwater management is a Metro Vancouver Regulatory condition. Metro Vancouver municipalities are required through the regional Liquid Waste Management Plan to implement green infrastructure in order to improve watershed health – specifically the Brunette and Fraser River watersheds in New Westminster.
This West End project is grant funded, with $10.5 Million from the Federal and Provincial governments. The City was awarded this project on the strong business case to improve stormwater quality into the Fraser River watershed.
CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS
|
Project Task |
Location |
Duration |
|
Rain Gardens |
16th Street – Tenth Avenue to Fifth Avenue |
Winter 2025 - Spring 2025 |
|
18th Street - Tenth Avenue to Sixth Avenue |
Fall 2025 |
|
|
20th Street - Tenth Avenue to Sixth Avenue |
Spring 2026 – Fall 2026 |
Impacts and Interruptions:
Some localized parking disruptions are expected to accommodate necessary staging areas during construction.
Expect temporary road closures, traffic delays and sidewalk closures during construction. Alternative access points will be provided and advanced notice will be given.
WHAT ARE RAIN GARDENS?
Rain gardens, otherwise known as green infrastructure, mimic natural water processes, and use plants, soil, trees, and built structures to capture and clean rainwater before returning it to nearby waterways and the atmosphere.
This work is tied to the City’s Integrated Stormwater Management Plan. Click here to view the benefits of Rain Gardens.
In some locations, rain gardens are most effective with larger treatment areas and one of the most beneficial ways to achieve that is to integrate it with a curb extension. Curb extensions provide pedestrian safety and traffic calming benefits, aligning with the City’s Master Transportation Plan goals and Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action:
- Improving pedestrian safety by reducing the crossing distance between curbs and making pedestrians more visible to drivers;
- Encouraging vehicles to slow down as they travel through an intersection.
The curb extensions have also been designed to coordinate with future work as part of the City’s Active Transportation Network Plan. While the project team has endeavored to limit the impacts to on-street parking, some locations will see a loss of one on-street parking spot to accommodate the curb extension and the rain garden.
What will they look like?
Note: the types of plants will differ.
WHERE ARE THESE BEING IMPLEMENTED?
This interactive map allows you to zoom in and click on the specific locations for more details about the size of the rain gardens and the potential localized impacts.