Ausenco was retained by Metro Vancouver to provide consulting and engineering design services for the replacement of the Canyon Creek aerial pipelines crossing, for Seymour mains number 3 and 4 in North Vancouver.
Metro Vancouver is systematically replacing their aging infrastructure. The existing crossing at Canyon Creek was built in the 1920s and consists of twin 900 mm diameter rivetted steel pipe supported on four plinths, plus a third obsolete line. To meet new seismic and climate resilience design criteria, a pipeline replacement spanning the creek gully is required to ensure stability and resilience in the water supply for the next 100 years.
The crossing and interconnecting pipe lie adjacent to and underneath residential roadways and popular park trails, requiring careful construction sequencing, community engagement, and traffic control plans for hikers, mountain bikers, and residents.
Ausenco’s scope of work includes site investigation and preliminary and detailed design. Our team is developing a comprehensive, well-structured work plan for all tasks that addresses potential challenges.
To complement our geotechnical, civil, structural, piping, mechanical, and environmental/permitting professionals, we are collaborating with specialist subconsultants on the project for traffic control planning, geoscans, topographic surveying and creek bed scour services.
Project solutions and approach
We have engaged specialists on our team who are familiar with the project area and experienced with similar elevated pipelines and aerial crossing projects. Some members have specific experience with waterways on the North Shore.
Currently in the preliminary design phase of the project, our team is exploring design approaches that maximise value and minimise disruptions, including options for self-supporting steel pipelines that span the gap, and avoiding a supporting bridge/gallery. Our approach is to focus on key potential issues and to propose potential solutions, keeping in mind factors that minimises construction impacts on nearby private properties while maintain safe vehicular and pedestrian access to the adjacent bridge.
Outcomes and achievements
Our local experience, combined with our national and global network, allows us to deliver services for the Canyon Aerial Crossing project both efficiently and to high standards.
Working collaboratively with the client, our team includes civil, structural, and mechanical engineers from Vancouver; geotechnical and environmental engineers from Vancouver and Toronto; and pipeline specialists from Concord, Lima, and Santiago.