Squamish River Dike Upgrades

Work is underway on Squamish River Dike upgrades in Brackendale between the Aikwucks and Waiwakum Squamish Nation Reserves. The scope of the project will enhance the community’s flood protection and includes raising, widening and strengthening the dike for approximately one kilometre.

Identified in the District of Squamish Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan (IFHMP) as the highest priority project to bring Squamish’s dikes up to increasing provincial standards, the District’s dike raising project is expected to significantly reduce the risk of flooding and protect residential, commercial and environmentally sensitive areas within the community including Brackendale, Garibaldi Estates and Squamish Nation reserve lands. The project will also protect critical transportation infrastructure including Highway 99 and CN Rail.

This work is being done thanks to a $3.9 million grant through the Federal Gas Tax Fund. The grant will fund the full estimated cost of the project.

Initial work will involve tree clearing from the work area. Cascade Environmental will be on-site conducting eagle roosting monitoring. The contractor intends to begin hauling dike fill material early in 2019.

Impact: Hauling fill to the site will require trucks to access the area. It’s anticipated that approximately three trucks will make 20 to 30 daily trips between the gravel quarry (Lot 69) and the work site, and access the site daily through September. Trucks will travel along Government Road to Judd Road and to Brennan Road through the Fisherman’s Park parking lot.  

Regular traffic patterns will not be impacted however, in order to mitigate road user conflicts; Share the Road signage as well as a reduced speed limit (30km/h) will be implemented on Judd Rd and Brennan Rd where sidewalks are not available. Homeowners in the area have received letters directly informing them of the work and impact.  Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use extra caution and be aware of increased truck traffic.  

Dike access will remain open to pedestrians however please expect limited parking and use caution in the Fisherman’s Park area. Vehicles will not be permitted to enter the dike or block the access to construction vehicles. Increased truck traffic along the dike and through the neighbourhood is anticipated through September.

Timeline: Work will continue through to September 2019, with the bulk of the work getting underway in January. 

December 18, 2018