Flume Creek Culvert Replacements at Margaret Road and Beach Avenue

Heavy rains caused debris blockages and washed out culverts at Flume Creek, located between Roberts Creek Provincial Park and Mt. Elphinstone Provincial Park. 

Flume Creek crosses Beach Avenue and Margaret Road southwest of Highway 101. The project will:

• Remove washed-out culverts and debris blockage from the November 2021 Atmospheric River event
• Repair road embankment erosion along these routes

Conditions

Beach Avenue 

• Paved, low volume road, approximately 3 km long, running parallel to Highway 101
• About 5.5 m wide at the Flume Creek crossing
• Provides access to several residential properties along the waterfront

Margaret Road

• Paved, north-south low volume road, about 850 m long and 5.5 m wide
• Surrounded by forested areas
• Connects with Beach Avenue at its south end
• Provides access to approximately twelve residential lots in addition to a summer camp

Flume Creek

• Flume Creek flows across Margaret Road from east to west, then flows south across Beach Avenue approximately 150 m downstream, before eventually reaching the Strait of Georgia
• The channel was measured to be about 4 m in width and 0.5 m in depth upstream of the Beach Avenue culvert, and 3 m in width and 1 m in depth downstream
• Near the Margaret Road crossing, the channel has a typical width and depth of about 3 m and 1 m respectively, both upstream and downstream of the culvert

Status

• Interim emergency works (Completed January 2023)
  • Removal of washed-out culverts and debris blockage
  • Repair of road embankment erosion
• Temporary repairs (Completed in summer/fall 2023)
  • Paving (Completed in July 2023)
  • Cleaning out and sealing the existing culverts
  • Removing gravel
  • Installing cut off walls
• Temporary culverts held up during the December 4th, 2023, flooding event. These temporary culverts are functioning well and flowing with no sign of issues.
• Additional investigations completed
  • Measures to ensure the site can withstand another fall coastal cycle in 2023
  • Ongoing maintenance will continue until permanent repairs commence
• Permanent repairs
  • The 100% detailed design for permanent repairs was completed in January 2024
  • Advanced tree clearing work was completed in February 2024
  • Public tender for the construction work was posted in April 2024
  • Contract awarded to Heavy Civil Infrastructure Ltd. on June 27, 2024
  • Construction commenced on July 29, 2024
• The project has replaced the washed-out culverts with larger concrete box culverts to accommodate future storm events and climate change
• Permanent concrete works around the new culverts were completed in November 2024
• Repairs will also address shoulder erosion and embankment strengthening
• With the rainy season approaching, interim stabilization works will be completed to mid-December including placement of riprap to prevent erosion of the channel banks and roadway embankment
• Potholes will be filled, driveways repaired and road graded and temporarily paved
• Final paving, site restoration and planting will be completed in 2025

Photo Gallery