| Project activities | Project activities | <div class="ExternalClassB20FA447AC3045C6B057EF850BB0937C"><p>During construction, crews will insert a new pipe lining into the old pipe. This technique will reduce the overall construction footprint and minimize impacts in the area. Construction will involve excavating 10 to 15 pits to create work zones where crews can access the sewer and insert new pipe lining, followed by street paving and landscaping. Each pit will be approximately four metres by four metres. More information on specific locations and impacts will be communicated in advance of work taking place.<br></p></div> |
| Impacts and mitigation | Impacts and mitigation | <div class="ExternalClassE3849019F67841F283C2ABDA07B3AA00"><p>Metro Vancouver recognizes construction will impact the surrounding community and have planned several measures to minimize impacts as much as possible.</p><p>Construction impacts associated with this project may include:</p><ul><li>Traffic pattern changes, detours, and delays</li><li>Parking restrictions</li><li>Temporary lane closures near construction zones</li><li>Occasional temporary odour</li><li>Noise and dust</li><li>Crews, vehicles, and equipment in the area<br></li></ul></div> |
| Work hours | Work hours | <div class="ExternalClass9982619D81204069B0FBAFF5A94470DA"><p>Work will generally occur from Monday to Friday, between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm. There may be times when crews will be required to work extended hours in order to complete specific tasks and/or stay on schedule. All work will comply with City of Vancouver bylaws or granted bylaw variances.<br></p></div> |
| Engagement | Engagement | <div class="ExternalClassDC418E421A6B457C84400DBE9C9C77D9">
<p>At Metro Vancouver we make decisions that impact nearly 3 million residents that live in our region. Metro Vancouver engages municipalities, businesses and the general public whenever we are working on a new program, policy, or project across our service areas. Learn more about our <a href="/about-us/community-engagement">engagement principles</a>.</p><p>
<strong>2025 public information sessions</strong></p><p></p><p>Metro Vancouver conducted its first public information session for the Columbia Street Sewer Repair on March 19, 2025. The purpose of the engagement was to hear from local residents and businesses how we can minimize impacts on the community during construction.
</p><p>A second public information session was held on October 1, 2025 to update the community on project progress, gain additional feedback, and provide a look ahead at upcoming work activities to construction completion in 2026.
</p><p><strong>Working with the community</strong></p><p>Metro Vancouver is committed to working closely with the community and the City of Vancouver to ensure concerns and interests are considered as the project progresses.</p><p>We will notify the community in advance of construction impacts, temporary traffic or parking changes, and what to expect during each section of work. Local residents and businesses can expect to receive ongoing notifications through signage and print materials. You can subscribe to our mailing list to receive regular updates via email by selecting the project name in <a href="/services/liquid-waste/liquid-waste-engagement-mailing-list">our liquid waste projects sign-up page</a>. <br></p><p>We also have a dedicated community liaison available throughout the project to address any questions or comments you may have. <br></p></div> |
| What we heard | What we heard | <div class="ExternalClassB7301BC91A1840FBA4171639E3682C41">Thank you for taking the time to learn about and provide your feedback on Metro Vancouver's Columbia Street Sewer Repair. Please find below what we heard during the public information session and through engagement with residents and businesses, and what we are doing to address the community's feedback:<br>
<table class="uk-table uk-table-small uk-table-divider mv-border-sepia mv-table-heading-sepia mv-table-border uk-table-striped"><thead><tr><th>What we heard</th><th>What we're doing</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Concerns and questions about traffic impacts such as delays, cycling routes, and pedestrian pathways</td><td><p>We are working with a traffic engineering firm to develop a Traffic Management Strategy. Feedback provided through our public engagement process will be incorporated into the strategy to ensure impacts are minimized wherever possible.</p><p>Once the Traffic Management Strategy is complete, Metro Vancouver will share information about how we will keep people moving safely and efficiently around our work zones.</p><p>We will also share any anticipated impacts and proposed detours to transit, cycling routes, and pedestrian pathways. This information will be shared via fact sheets and newsletters in advance of construction.</p></td></tr><tr><td>Concerns that construction crews will be actively working along the entire sewer route throughout the project.</td><td>Metro Vancouver and the contractor have developed construction plans that minimize the size of active work zones at any given time to ensure that we are lessening impacts to the community. A construction work plan has been provided on the project webpage so that residents and businesses know when to expect construction in their area. </td></tr><tr><td>Questions about construction methods and noise impacts, and how this may affect the surrounding community.</td><td><p>For the majority of work, Metro Vancouver is using cured-in-place piping methods which involve inserting a liner into the existing pipe. This requires less excavation and minimizes the construction footprint. In this process, steam is used to heat and expand the liner which can result in odours that may be noticed in the general area. </p><p>In certain sections, crews will need to excavate along the sewer to access and remove old pipe, and install a new one. This is required in areas where bends or elevation changes in the pipe prevent the use of cured in place piping methods.</p><p>We have developed a Noise Management Strategy to mitigate noise impacts during construction and will ensure our contractor is working within City of Vancouver bylaw hours, or—when there are extenuating circumstances that require work outside those hours—they will be applying for bylaw variances.</p></td></tr><tr><td>Questions about why the sewer leak occurred and if this is related to the City of Vancouver sewer leak on Terminal Avenue.</td><td><p>The sewer leak resulted from the corrosion of a sewer pipe that was installed in 1999, which caused the pipe to fail. Because this sewer was designed to last up to 100 years, the failure was unexpected. Metro Vancouver is conducting further investigations to determine the likelihood of failures at other locations in the sewer system so that preventative measures can be taken, if required. </p><p>Both the Metro Vancouver and City of Vancouver sewer leaks occurred in the same general area on sewers that were installed at the same time. Any link between the two sewer leaks is unknown at this time, however both require permanent repairs due to apparent corrosion. Further details will be shared publicly once information is available.</p></td></tr><tr><td>Interest in how traffic plans will impact access to homes, businesses, and facilities during construction</td><td><p>Drivers may experience delays in accessing driveways when active construction is taking place outside a home or a business.</p><p>We're working with businesses to ensure access will be maintained for essential deliveries and customers, and that residents will always have an alternate route to and from their homes. </p><p>We will ensure emergency vehicles can access homes and businesses at all times.</p></td></tr><tr><td>Requests to ensure safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists around the construction area</td><td><p>We are working with a traffic engineering firm to develop a Traffic Management Strategy that ensures safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists near all construction areas.</p><p>Wherever possible, we will ensure sidewalks and pedestrian paths remain accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, and mobility devices. When accessibility cannot be maintained, we will provide accessible detour options at controlled intersections.</p></td></tr><tr><td>Requests to receive advance notice of project impacts, especially for local residents and businesses, and related to cycling and pedestrian detours</td><td><p>We will provide advance notice of construction activities and impacts via mail, email, web, and social media updates. Notifications will include the location and duration of work, work hours, and any anticipated impacts.</p>When unplanned or unforeseen short-term impacts occur, the contractor will coordinate with Metro Vancouver to ensure affected parties are notified as soon as possible.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>
<br>
</p></div> |
| Project materials | Project materials | <div class="ExternalClassD76B9E4C6EAC420992163A54EE727117"><ul class="fa-ul"><li>
<span class="fa-li">
<i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span><a href="/services/liquid-waste/ConstructionDocuments/columbia-street-sewer-fact-sheet.pdf" title="Fact Sheet – Columbia Street Sewer Repair – November 2024">Fact Sheet – Columbia Street Sewer Repair – November 2024</a></li><li>
<span class="fa-li">
<i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span>
<a href="/services/liquid-waste/ConstructionDocuments/Columbia-Street-Sewer-Repair-Project-Display-Panels-2025-03-19.pdf">Display Panels - Columbia Street Sewer Repair - March 2025</a></li><li>
<span class="fa-li">
<i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/services/liquid-waste/ConstructionImages/columbia_street_sewer_repair-cured_in_place_piping.jpg">Document Graphic - Columbia Street Sewer Repair - Cured in place piping</a></li><li>
<span class="fa-li">
<i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span><a href="/services/liquid-waste/ConstructionImages/columbia_street_sewer_repair-open-cut-method.jpg">Document Graphic - Columbia Street Sewer Repair - Open-cut method</a></li></ul><p>
<strong>Newsletters</strong></p><ul class="fa-ul"><li>
<span class="fa-li">
<i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span><a href="/services/liquid-waste/ConstructionDocuments/Newsletter-Mobilization-Columbia-Street-Sewer-Repair-Project-2025-04.pdf" target="_blank">2025 - April - Mobilization </a> </li><li>
<span class="fa-li">
<i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/services/liquid-waste/ConstructionDocuments/columbia-street-sewer-repair-project-newsletter-project-update-2025-09.pdf" target="_blank">2025 - September - Project Update </a><br></li></ul></div> |