Current Projects
Five Creeks Stormwater Flood Protection Project
TRAFFIC & CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Updated: May 10, 2022
The Five Creeks Stormwater Flood Protection Project began in 2019 and construction has been completed from the waterfront at the foot of 31st Street up to the Upper Levels Highway at the Westmount exit. In August 2020, construction crews ran into unanticipated ground conditions within the Highway 1 right-of-way, while tunnelling under Highway 1 at the Exit 7 westbound off-ramp and the work was paused. Work to complete the highway crossing has now re-started.
Construction will occur Monday to Friday, between 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays between and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. if required.
May 10 update
Starting on Wednesday, May 11, Highway 1 Westbound Exit 7/Westmount Road/Westridge Avenue will be closed until approximately August 30 to allow for the tunnelling works to install the stormwater diversion crossings underneath Highway 1.
As a result of the closure, westbound traffic seeking to exit Highway 1 at Exit 7/Westmount Road/Westridge Avenue will be detoured via Highway 1 Exit 4/Woodgreen Drive/Headland Drive. Drivers are advised to follow the detour route posted on construction signage.
Highway 1 westbound on-ramp Exit 8/Cypress Bowl Road will be closed for approximately nine weeks, starting on Monday, May 16 to allow for the installation of the East Leg of the stormwater diversion system.
This closure will impact traffic seeking to enter Highway 1 westbound at on-ramp Exit 8/Cypress Bowl Road. Drivers are advised to follow the posted construction signage.
Blasting work
Blasting work will begin on the north side of Highway 1, adjacent to the Exit 7 westbound off-ramp on Monday, May 16. Blasting is required to create an entry point for the east stormmain crossing, and all work will be carefully considered and kept to a minimum. It is anticipated that blasting will take two to three weeks, or as required by ground conditions. All blasting will be overseen by a qualified professional working within the best practices guide for urban blasting operations and will be completed in accordance with District regulations and bylaws.
Upon completing the underground pipe crossings, construction will begin to tie-in the crossings into the existing diversion system along the 3300 and 3400 blocks of Westmount Road.
District road restoration and improvements
Road restoration and planned District capital road improvement works that were temporarily put on hold will resume once the Five Creeks Stormwater Flood Protection Project construction is no longer impacting the same roadways. These works include cycling and pedestrian safety improvements including sidewalk and curb upgrades, pavement markings, sightline improvements, bicycle lanes, accessibility improvements and installation of speed humps.
Frequently asked questions
The District has received calls and emails from concerned residents looking for more information or clarification of existing information on the Five Creeks Stormwater Flood Protection Project. We'd like to address those questions.
In 2013, the District of West Vancouver adopted an Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP) to address concerns of overland flooding within the watershed area referred to as the Five Creeks, for the benefit of both existing and future neighbourhoods below and above the Upper Levels Highway. The name Five Creeks comes from the fact that the watershed contains Pipe, Westmount, Cave, Turner, and Godman Creeks.
This plan calls for a stormwater pipe to run through the Westmount and Altamont neighbourhoods from north of the Upper Levels Highway down to the Burrard Inlet at the foot of 31st Street.
The new stormwater pipe will address concerns related to flooding and erosion by diverting excess stormwater out of the creeks during extreme weather events, safely conveying the flow into the ocean.
The project entails the construction of a large-diameter stormwater pipe that will run from above the Upper Levels Highway, down to a new outfall at the Burrard inlet. Intake structures installed on the creeks will capture any significant stormwater that will overflow the creek banks and divert the excess flow into the pipe.
Managing storm-level flows within these creeks will reduce the impacts of intense storms in Westmount and Altamont—both present-day levels and anticipated increasing levels of severity due to climate change.
The project's construction will be broken down into sections and completed in phases. In order to reduce the duration of disruption as much as possible, there may be times when multiple crews will be working at different sections of the project. The remaining phases of construction will include the following:
- Highway pip crossings underneath the Highway 1 right-of way and Highway 1 Westbound Exit 7 off-ramp.
- Connection of highway pipe crossings to existing stormmain along the 3300 and 3400 block of Westmount Road.
- East leg of the storm diversion pipe and creek intake structures north of the Upper Levels Highway.
The District completed an Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP) in 2013 that identified 18 existing culverts and 24 existing channel sections below the Upper Levels Highway as being inadequate to safely convey high flow storm runoff.
In addition, the ISMP indicated that the creeks within the watershed may not have sufficient capacity to handle extreme natural storm events—which are increasing due to climate change— without flooding and significant erosion of the creeks. To reduce the risk of flooding, it was determined that the best solution is a new stormwater pipe that to collect excess water from the creeks and safely convey this stormwater directly to the ocean.
The project is required to reduce in-stream impacts on existing homes, many of which were built within stream setbacks and even on top of creeks. The stormwater diversion eliminates the need for the District to upgrade or replace the existing under-capacity culverts and channels.
Purpose
The purpose of this storm diversion project is to contain extreme stormwater flows from the watersheds of Pipe Creek, Westmount Creek, Cave Creek, Turner Creek and Godman Creek before they can impact the Rodgers Creek, Westmount and Altamont neighbourhoods.
Benefit
The project will increase the level of flood protection for approximately 800 homes below the Upper Levels Highway and reduce erosion hazards, protect life and property in these neighbourhoods, and protect the watershed health of the Five Creek drainage areas.
Description of work
- Storm diversion pipe and intake structures.
- Blasting may be required in some areas during construction owing to the topography and natural ground conditions of the area, a pre-blasting survey will be conducted by the blasting company for all residents located within 60 meters of a proposed blasting site, access to the residence is required (for a complete per blast survey).
- Road reconstruction resurfacing, with sidewalk installation.
- Boulevard restoration.
Construction of a large infrastructure project will have an impact on the neighbourhood. It will create inconvenience for residents. However, the inconvenience is temporary and the District is working to minimize the impact as much as possible.
Traffic management and pedestrian safety
Onsite traffic control persons will manage pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle safety through the construction zone.
Please remember that traffic control persons and signage are there for your safety, as well as the safety of the construction workers. Please respect all signage and personnel.
Construction hours will follow the District’s Noise Control Bylaw. Construction will be permitted from are 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. as required to complete work on schedule.
During stormwater diversion construction:
- Work to complete the highway crossing will require a 12 to 14 week full closure of Highway 1 Westbound Exit 7.
- Work to tie-in the crossings into the existing diversion system will require intermittent, single-lane alternating traffic along the 3300 and 3400 blocks of Westmount Road.
- Traffic control personnel will be on-site during construction hours to help facilitate access for local traffic and emergency vehicles.
- Parking will be restricted on the road and boulevards during the construction.
- Temporary no parking signs will be installed prior to the work.
Due to the construction along 31st Street, the 253 will be re-routed to 24th Street, along Mathers and up to Highway 1. Bus stops in the construction area will be temporarily inactive. We first considered a detour route through Hillcrest but, after listening to concerns voiced by residents, the 253 was re-routed to 24th Street.
Bus #253 detours
There may be impacts to Blue Bus service during road restoration. Please check back for updates or sign up to receive updates by email.