New Westminster wants assurances that a project taking place in Glenbrook Ravine this spring and summer will be completed promptly.
Metro Vancouver will be doing some work on the Glenbrook combined trunk sewer New Westminster interceptor – part of its work to eliminate combined sewer overflows (which carry stormwater runoff and waste water in a single pipe) in the region by 2050. As part of its efforts to facilitate that project, the city has approved a temporary working space agreement at 590 Blackberry Dr.
“Approval of this temporary working space is essential for the work plan and timeline of Metro Vancouver’s Glenbrook combined trunk sewer interceptor CSO gate replacement project,” said a staff report. “Proceeding with the replacement works will help improve the operation of the existing Metro Vancouver trunk sewer interceptor system, which the city sanitary and drainage system is dependent upon. In addition, access to the ravine will be improved over the long term.”
According to the report, Metro Vancouver proposes to close the east access from Glenbrook Drive. However, the pedestrian access from Ginger Drive and Blackberry Drive (west stair access), Kwantlen Court (east stair access) and Jamieson Court (trail accessed from the south) will remain open through construction.
Traffic control personnel and wayfinding signage will be located along the open trail areas to ensure public safety, said the report.
The staff report states that staff have determined that the existing stairs at Kwantlen Court are at the end of their life and require rehabilitation, and Metro Vancouver is willing to upgrade them from timber to concrete steps before construction of the sewer project begins. Metro Vancouver will cover the cost of that work.
A staff report states Metro Vancouver has requested a temporary working space within part of the Glenbrook Ravine lands for access and storage of construction materials for the projection. Onni Development currently owns the part of the ravine where this will take place, but is required to transfer the land to the city once work in the area is complete.
Coun. Ruby Campbell, a Sapperton resident who regularly walks through the ravine with her dog Cocoa, sought assurances that Metro Vancouver provides the community with information about the trail closure, so people aren’t surprised.
“I know that one end is going to be closed, and my fear is that people will see that closure and won't see what entrances are open,” she said.
Campbell said the work is supposed to take four months, and she would like to see it completed within that time frame.
“That's a really important place for our community, especially when … when it's warm. It's such a nice shady area,” she said. “So I just have lots of concerns about making sure we manage the project fairly well.
Mayor Patrick Johnstone said Glenbrook Ravine is a really important asset in the community. He questioned what the city could do to ensure this project isn’t delayed.
Ammar Mahdi, a senior project manager with Metro Vancouver’s liquid waste services division, said the only thing needed at this time to proceed with the project is the city’s approval to close a trail in the ravine and to receive the city’s approval for the construction easements. He said the plan is to begin the preparatory excavation work in May, with the gate to be installed once that has taken place.
“We have a very limited time window to replace the gate. That is during the dry season in August, September,” said Mahdi, project manager.
Mahdi said Metro Vancouver’s community engagement department will be communicating to residents in the surrounding area about the project.
Campbell said the City of New Westminster’s communication team is better connected to the community than Metro Vancouver’s communications department, and should be informed of what’s happening with the project.
“I just implore you to please keep them connected,” she said. “And – I hope this isn't the case – if things go sideways, I'd prefer that we are notified right away and get that advance notice so that there are no surprises for residents.”
