A multi-year utility, environmental and road project will start next month at the north end of Cedar Drive.
COQUITLAM, B.C., March 16, 2021 – A multi-year utility, environmental and road project will start next month at the north end of Cedar Drive.
The Cedar Drive Upgrade Project will happen in a number of phases, taking place from 2021 to 2024, and will extend the sewer system, improve drainage, enhance Partington Creek, and provide transportation upgrades. The much-needed upgrades will support new development in the eastern section of the Partington Creek neighbourhood, and will also improve service to existing residents in the area.
It is one of the City’s largest current infrastructure projects in progress. A virtual public information session will be held in April via Zoom to discuss the project and answer questions. Details will be posted at www.coquitlam.ca/cedardrive.
Planned Improvements
Guided by the Partington Creek Neighbourhood Plan, the City began planning about a decade ago to bring critical utilities and roads to the area east of the Burke Mountain Village site. Improvements will include:
- A new sewer line along Cedar Drive and extended to Upper Victoria Drive, to serve both existing and future homes;
- Environmental enhancements to Partington Creek such as new riparian (creekside habitat) areas and removal of invasive species;
- Increased flood protection from freshets in the Pitt and Fraser River systems by creating a new drainage channel off Partington Creek and raising upper Cedar Drive by 1.5 metres; and
- Transportation upgrades including widening upper Cedar Drive to a two-lane width, constructing a multi-use pathway and adding street lighting.
Primarily funded through developer fees, the $16.5-million project is important to serve the needs of the growing Burke Mountain area.
Project Phasing
Construction is set to kick off this spring based on the following schedule:
- 2021: Primarily moving earth and “preloading” future road and utility sites – covering them with piles of earth to help settle the soil before building these services– and removing knotweed, an invasive species
- 2022: Most of the sewer system expansion work, including a pump station, forcemain and gravity sewer connection to Victoria Drive
- 2023/2024: Reconstruction of Cedar Drive, the drainage channel and environmental enhancements in Partington Creek
Staying Informed
Ongoing communications will take place with area property owners and other stakeholders as the work progresses, including notification when properties will be directly affected by construction activity.
To stay informed about the project, visit www.coquitlam.ca/cedardrive or sign up for Cedar Drive Upgrade Project updates at www.coquitlam.ca/notifyme.
Providing Important Amenities and Infrastructure During the Pandemic
Coquitlam continues to plan and build amenities and infrastructure for the present and future community needs, beyond the pandemic. This is made possible through long-term financial planning including the Five-Year Capital Plan for 2021-2025, as well as overall strong fiscal responsibility. Many of these projects are also funded outside of the municipal tax base through sources such as developer contributions.
Media contact:
Mark Zaborniak
Manager, Design and Construction
Engineering and Public Works
604-927-3502
mzaborniak@coquitlam.ca