An engineering firm has been awarded the job of designing Phase 1 of the city’s foreshore sanitary sewer main replacement.
During the high water of June 2012, the pipe broke near the foreshore trail. Although crews were able to fix it, a study done in 2013 determined that 1.5 kilometres of asbestos concrete pipe between Raven and Appleyard subdivisions requires immediate replacement because of its age. Also in Phase 1 will be the relocation of 800 metres of sanitary sewer main in the Canoe Beach area off the foreshore and along 78th Avenue NE. Portions of the main have become exposed along the frontage of the Canoe Beach lease lots, raising concerns about a breach from either a boat or further erosion of soil.
The total cost of Phase 1 is estimated at $1.8 million.
On Feb. 10, city council awarded the engineering services to Port Coquitlam’s Paragon Engineering Ltd at a cost of $133,169. It was one of seven firms competing, which included a lower bid from a local firm.
Rob Niewenhuizen, director of engineering, said Paragon has much experience in the specialized work to be done. He said all bids were scrutinized heavily, including checking with a number of municipalities about Paragon, whose work was highly recommended.