The SEAandSKY (Waterfront Landing) is located on 21 hectares of land situated along the Mamquam Blind Channel in Squamish. In 2018, Binnie began work as a civil engineering consultant, providing the design and field review for the site preparation and development infrastructure of a master-planned, multi-phase community. The total construction cost of civil and coastal infrastructure is estimated to be $75 million. Binnie’s work includes shallow utilities coordination between BC Hydro, Shaw, Telus, Fortis Gas, and District optic fiber.
The SEAandSKY (Waterfront Landing) project is an ongoing coastal land development project that will include up to 965 units of townhomes and apartments. SEAandSKY will be connected to downtown Squamish via a pedestrian drawbridge. The plans along the waterfront include a commercial/residential village centre, marina, two parks designed to Green Shores principles, pedestrian and bike paths, and a public plaza area.
Binnie is responsible for the design and field review of site preparation and development infrastructure, including:
- sewer systems
- force mains
- lift stations
- stormwater facilities
- oil-grit separator systems
- coastal outfall systems
- water system
- pressure reducing valve station
- roads, laneways
- trails
- traffic controls
- MOTI highway intersection upgrades
- railway utility crossings
- highway utility crossings
- watermain pipeline on the bridge
During the project, a large amount of wood waste on-site had to be removed or remediated. Large unserved parcels of land and a large amount of infrastructure was required for the development, including two sanitary lift stations and a highway overpass. Most of the parcels had to be raised to meet flood control levels which involved using a barge to bring in large amounts of fill. Multiple railways and highway trenchless crossings were required to service this site.
In terms of project innovation, all roads are designed with the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in mind. Crossing distances were minimized, and lane widths were reduced to slow down the vehicles passing by. Additionally, storm outfalls were equipped with elastomer-based backwater valves in lieu of flap gates. It is anticipated that this will lead to less maintenance required at the outfall due to having no metal to corrode and no mechanical moving parts. Regarding environmental awareness, dual EFO10 oil-grit separators were installed in parallel at one of the storm outfalls to reduce the ecological impact on the marine environment.
The SEAandSKY site was formerly just a wood processing industrial site but will now serve as one of the largest, newest, most vibrant developments in Squamish. It will increase housing options which are currently in short supply for the community members. The development will include commercial spaces for businesses to operate and create job opportunities. New amenities will include a community centre and park along the attractive waterfront for the residents to enjoy now and well into the future.
