Sandpiper Tackles Major Watermain & Storm Sewer Upgrade at a Heritage-Sensitive Site in New Westminster

Contract #: NWRFP-23-17

Beneath this heavily travelled corridor lies a complex network of aging infrastructure that dates back generations, and bringing it into the modern era requires careful planning, precision engineering, and a deep respect for the site's history.

This location sits on ground that has been continuously developed since the early 1900s, during the era when New Westminster - once the capital of the Colony of British Columbia - was rapidly expanding as an industrial and commercial hub along the Fraser River. Because of this long history, the area is designated as heritage-sensitive, meaning every excavation must proceed with caution. Archaeologists are present on site daily, carefully monitoring our work in case artifacts or historic materials emerge from the soil - remnants of the city's early industrial past.

At the heart of the project is the modernization of critical underground infrastructure. Our team is upgrading and separating the area's aging combined sewer system - an older design that carries both stormwater and wastewater - into dedicated storm sewer and watermain lines. This separation will significantly improve drainage capacity, environmental protection, and long-term reliability for surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.

One of the most technically challenging aspects of the work involves crossing beneath sensitive regional sewer lines owned by Metro Vancouver. These major pipes must remain fully operational throughout construction, requiring specialized geotechnical engineering solutions. To safely excavate below them, the sewers are carefully suspended and monitored using precision settlement gauges to ensure even the slightest movement is detected.

Adding to the complexity, the work zone sits directly beside infrastructure supporting the SkyTrain. Excavation near these structural footings along a high-traffic roadway demands meticulous planning and safety protocols. To carry out the work safely, full road closures are required along 6th Street between 18th and 20th Avenues. Public transit routes have been temporarily detoured to accommodate the construction.

The project also requires close coordination with local industry. This stretch of roadway provides the only access point for the nearby Kruger Products paper and tissue facility, making it essential to maintain operational access while construction progresses. Special logistical planning ensures that deliveries, employees, and daily operations can continue without disruption.

Projects like this highlight the intricate balance between preserving the past and building for the future. Beneath the pavement of one of the region's busiest corridors, our crews are not only upgrading critical infrastructure but also working carefully within a landscape shaped by more than a century of history in New Westminster.