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City of Vancouver, Washington

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Waterfront Access Project

Project Update, October 2009

Charting a Course to a New Waterfront

The City of Vancouver is planning road improvement projects that will connect the downtown street network to two new underpasses in the earthen berm being constructed as part of a BNSF Railway project.

Those underpasses, at Grant Street and Esther Street, will connect the waterfront and downtown. They will be vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle friendly. The BNSF project will result in the closure of the rail crossings at Jefferson Street and Eighth Street. Port area access will then be possible by way of the Grant Street underpass.

Progress Continues on Relocation of an Important Main Sewer Line

Construction continues on the City of Vancouver's Sewer Line Relocation, with project completion drawing near.

As of Oct. 26, approximately 1,500 feet of the total 1,700 feet slated for this project had been installed. From late October through Nov. 6, 2009, most construction activity will be taking place on Eighth Street, between King and Jefferson streets.

The project is now anticipated to be finished about the end of November, though the majority of the remaining pipe installation will be completed before mid-November. The key to completion rests with the final paving. Paving is highly weather and temperature dependent. Streets will remain in a safe condition for travel until the weather allows for a suitable paving opportunity.

Construction of the City of Vancouver's Sewer Line Relocation Project got under way Monday, June 29. Tapani Underground Inc., Battle Ground, is the contractor for this project.    

Overall, the Sewer Line Relocation Project involves relocation of 1,700 feet of a 36-inch-diameter concrete main sewer pipeline along West Eighth Street, between King and Grant streets; and along Grant Street, between West Sixth and Eighth streets. An 8-inch-diameter main is being installed along West Seventh Street, from Jefferson Street to 300 feet east. The project also involves deep trenching and some expert installation, including 174 feet of 54-inch steel casing to accommodate the sewer line below active BNSF tracks. Regular construction hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the potential for extension to 8 p.m. as needed.

Drivers should be alert to flaggers and expect lane closures and delays. Drivers traveling to points along Eighth, to the near east and west of Jefferson including the Amtrak station, should allow for additional time to reach their destinations. Where possible, drivers are encouraged to take another route to avoid construction areas. 

To provide safe conditions for workers and the public, no parking is allowed on streets where sewer line construction is occurring. Where needed, fencing is used to designate locations for pedestrians to safely cross the street.

The sewer line relocation is a necessary component for any waterfront access to the former Boise Cascade site and essential to achieving anticipated densities set forth in the Vancouver City Center Vision. The overall project will also improve the safety and efficiency of BNSF Railway operations in Vancouver by decreasing delays on the main rail line and eliminating two at-grade crossings, at Jefferson Street and Eighth Street. Timing of the sewer line relocation is being done to coincide with BNSF work. 

For more information related to the sewer line relocation construction, please contact: Ryan Knox, Construction Engineer, Public Works, 360-487-7750. Information about the overall Waterfront Access Project is available through contacts in the green box, left.

Guiding Principles of the Waterfront Access Project Design
Drawing on stakeholder input, several design principles and recommendations will shape the nature of the Grant Street and Esther Street underpasses:

• Grant Street should have bike lanes in the street, while Esther should generally match the preferred alternative sketch. 
• Introduce place holder locations for future vertical elements that emphasize the industrial marine heritage of the waterfront.
• Provide opportunity areas that frame transitional elements of art, “surprise,” “sparkle,” or accents.
• Design should incorporate the character of the downtown district through the underpass treatments and provide a “gentle transition” of elements and material to the waterfront development.
• The character of the underpass space should be linear in nature with lines that draw your eye through the space and beyond. This would reinforce the north / south connection.
• Don’t try to hide the underpass; be honest with material and layout – “less is more.”
• The underpass space should feel open and secure.
• Rain gardens and natural infiltration should be explored at the low point of the underpasses.
• The Grant and Esther design should be different.
• Landscape elements and planting should create an open, secure environment.

This Conceptual Plan provides a visual overview of the project and the design details that will shape the road improvement and underpass projects.