District of Squamish is working on the Squamish River Dike upgrade project in Brackendale between the Aikwucks and Waiwakum Squamish Nation Reserves.
The project includes raising, widening and strengthening the dike for approximately one kilometre to enhance the community’s flood protection.
The district said the 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.
Work will continue through from January to September 2019.
Initial work will involve tree clearing from the work area, and the contractor intends to begin hauling dike fill material early in 2019.
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, a 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.
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.
