Waterfront Landing and Highway 99 Infrastructure Works

December 17 update: The Corridor Trail has reopened.

The District of Squamish wishes to inform the community about the following construction works which will impact Highway 99 and Corridor Trail traffic over the next two months.

The work is being undertaken by Squamish Lands LP, the developers of the Waterfront Landing (WFL) project, and is described below:

Sanitary Sewer Work

• WFL will be working to tie-in its sanitary sewer infrastructure to the District’s sewer main, which runs along the east side of Highway 99. The work is expected to commence mid-October and continue through the end of 2018.

• As part of the work, the developer will upgrade the District’s sewer main to accommodate the increased volume, and the costs of the project will be covered by the developer. This is an important benefit to the community as this sewer main is identified as a priority for replacement in the District's master plans. (Note: the Waste Water Treatment Plant typically operates well below its design capacity, and planned upgrades will ensure it has capacity to accommodate ongoing and anticipated growth in the community).

• An estimated two-week single-lane closure of the northbound shoulder lane on Highway 99 will be required for a short section of the highway across from the Shell gas station and Mag’s 99. Further details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Corridor Trail Closure

The construction will temporarily impact the Corridor Trail and a closure will be required from late-October through December. A detour route to/from Valleycliffe/Hospital Hill will be sign-posted along Clarke Drive and Scott Crescent.

We will do our best to minimize the public impact resulting from this temporary detour. We recognize that the route is steeper, and is shared with vehicle traffic, but it is the safest option for the detour while we complete this important upgrade for the community.

• Please use extra caution on the detour route as it is also used by one-way vehicles. 
• Be aware of steeper grade.
• "Share the Roadway" signage will be installed to bring greater awareness to all road users, in particular drivers, in order to improve safety for all users of the road.
• Temporary 30km/hour signs will be posted for vehicle traffic. 
• Grading of Scott Crescent has taken place. Paving Scott Crescent for this short-term detour is not feasible.  
• We are looking into the potential of providing some temporary lighting during early morning and evening hours, however please use lights and reflective gear.

We thank all road users for their extra care, and Corridor Trail users for their patience, while this important infrastructure work is completed. 

Timeline

October 25 - Corridor Trail Closure (for approximately two months)

Stay tuned for more specific timing about this project and the upcoming phases below in the coming weeks.

Upcoming Phases

Two additional components to this project include:

1. Upgrade to Clarke Drive/Highway 99 intersection to enable four-way traffic:

• A west leg will be added to this intersection.
• Pedestrian connectivity across the intersection will be improved.
• The east side of the intersection will be realigned, including the section of Clarke Drive south of the intersection.
• Current informal park & ride will be replaced in a new location as part of the project. 

2. Clarke Drive Rail Overpass (no public impact expected from construction):

• This work involves construction of a vehicle overpass that will connect the new four-way Clarke Drive intersection at Highway 99 with Laurelwood Drive (within Waterfront Landing) to the west. 

In the future, Laurelwood Drive will connect to a new Pemberton Avenue bridge across the Mamquam Blind Channel, establishing a second entrance to Downtown. The District is working towards development of a plan for the "Pemberton Bridge" including timelines and funding mechanisms. An upcoming Downtown Entrance Study will help inform this plan, and the future bridge is also being included in an updated Development Cost Charges (DCC) Bylaw, which identifies growth-related projects that would qualify for DCC funds. Municipalities levy DCCs on all new development to pay for new or expanded infrastructure such as sewer, water, drainage, parks and roads necessary to adequately service the demands of that new development.  

Project contacts

If you have any questions about the upcoming work, please contact us: 

• Dave Marrow, District of Squamish, 604-815-4953 or by e-mail
• Clayton Mathews, Site Superintendent, Axiom Builders Inc., 604-315-3483, or by e-mail