UPDATE ON NORTH NICOMEKL TRUNK SEWER
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BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
A section of Metro Vancouver (MV) trunk sewer – referred to as the North Nicomekl TrunkSewer – will require an immediate upgrade to accommodate flows from East Langley, to occuras a result of the new sanitary sewer system currently being constructed between Aldergroveand Murrayville. The North Nicomekl sewer is located in the City of Langley, and a small portionof the City of Surrey, within the Nicomekl River floodplain. MV has indicated that, while theNorth Nicomekl upgrade is part of its long range plan, the installation extends beyond theTownship’s timeline. In order to meet the desired timeline, the Township has initiated thedesign, and will undertake construction and project management responsibilities. Council waspreviously advised on this project via report 07-133.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Metro Vancouver’s (MV) triple bottom line assessment criteria were used to determine that theoptimal route was a twinning of the existing sewer on the north side of the Nicomekl River,within the floodplain. Alternate routes along 53 Avenue, 52 Avenue, and south of the river werealso examined, but costs and social impacts due to construction were the main reasons thesealignments did not prevail. A public Open House and meetings with other stakeholdersoccurred in December 2008, hosted jointly by staff from the City of Langley, MV, and theTownship. The public's comments were largely related to a proposed nature trail (a Cityinitiative separate from the sewer project) and the public was generally supportive of the sewerproject. The City is currently undertaking a separate public consultation process regarding theproposed nature trail.To meet the required schedule MV is undertaking the necessary property acquisition whichshould be complete in April. The most critical property has already been acquired.Construction is scheduled to start in June and be completed by autumn of this year, to meet theallowable Fisheries construction window. Fisheries and environmental approvals are pending.An Agreement will have to be established to allow for reimbursement of the direct costs fromMV to the Township for the design and construction of the sewer. Project costs are anticipatedto be well within the current budget and are in the order of $9 million. The Agreement has beenreviewed by Township lawyers. MV advise they do not expect any substantive changes.When AECOM was retained by the Township in June 2008 to provide engineering services forthis project, AECOM was instructed in the Contract not to proceed with detailed design withoutapproval from MV, CoL and Township Council. This was included in the contract to protect theTownship and AECOM from continuing with the detailed design of this project without approvalof the alignment from both the City and MV. Representatives of the City and MV have nowprovided this approval, through their appointed representatives.
Legal Implications:
Property managers from Metro Vancouver have been negotiating and obtaining rights-of-way onbehalf of and in favour of Metro Vancouver.
Intergovernmental Implications
Metro Vancouver (MV) and City of Langley (CoL) staff have been involved throughout thedesign process. MV will be taking over operation of the sewer after construction. CoL may usethe maintenance access over the sewer alignment as a multi-purpose nature trail,interconnecting into their trail system.
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