CONNECT WITH US ONLINE /TheRichmondSentinel @TheRichmondSentinel @RmdSentinel richmondsentinel.ca Download our app VOL. 4 ISSUE 2 NOT-FOR-PROFIT FEB. 19 - MARCH 2, 2020 SCHOLASTIC SUCCESS Boyd student named 2020 Loran Scholar 10 Photo by Eric Choi – Edge Imaging Leilani Pearson,RAPS_FP-Banner-Ad-050319-REV-HR.pdf a Grade 12 student at 1 H ugh2019-05-03 Boyd secondary,5:12 PM is one of only 36 high schoolers across Canada to receive a Loran Award, valued at approximately $100,000. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 2 | CITY NEWS February 19 - March 2, 2020 RICHMOND SENTINEL City set to begin next phase of flood protection strategy ichmond is set to begin its next phase of con- of dikes were re-armoured with 11,400 tonnes of Rstruction and upgrades to its dike network and foundation stone (rip-rap) as part of the City’s Dike flood protection system, as part of its ongoing Maintenance Program in 2019. Future dike raising Flood Protection Management Strategy and Dike locations include the South Dike between No. 3 Master Planning efforts. Road and Finn Slough The city is undergoing continual upgrades and Richmond’s drainage pump stations continue improvements to address climate change-in- to be upgraded to accommodate growth and cli- duced sea level rise. mate change. Construction of Shell Road North Dike improvements begin soon along the north Pump Station and No. 7 Road South Pump Sta- dike, between Nelson Road and the west edge of tion is underway, and construction of Horseshoe the train trestle near 21200 River Rd. Approved by Slough Pump Station is nearing completion. city council in the 2020 capital budget, this work Through capital improvements and investment will continue to maintain and enhance the city’s in preventative maintenance programs, the city is current flood protection service levels. Photo courtesy City of Richmond able to proactively prepare and respond to flood In preparation for this upgrade, staff will plant Richmond has 49 kilometres of perimeter dike related concerns, as its Flood Protection Manage- nearly 1,000 trees to replace 324 that will need to and 39 drainage pump stations that provide ment Strategy aims to raise dikes and establish a be removed to facilitate ground stabilization and the city with flood protection from ocean world-class flood protection standard. erosion protection work required to reinforce and storm surges and freshets. The city will continue to engage key stakehold- protect the dike in this location. The trees that bert Road and No. 3 Road Pier—is now complete. ers and the public on climate change, flood pro- need to be removed are largely cottonwoods on Upgrades included raising and widening approxi- tection, and area-specific considerations through the water side of the dike. These trees are being mately 650 metres of dikes and the construction the use of social media, open houses, presenta- undermined by erosion and present a safety haz- of an improved multi-use path to enhance the tions and other platforms. ard to both road and Fraser River users. safety and accessibility of pedestrians and cy- To learn more, visit www.richmond.ca/services/ The South Dike raising upgrade—between Gil- clists. In addition to these upgrades, 1.6 kilometres rdws/dikes LIVING THE LEGACY WE BRING THE EXCITEMENT OF FEB 21-23 2020 HEAD TO HEAD RACING Free family event TO EVERY EXPERIENCE at the Richmond Olympic Oval Arrive and Drive Corporate Team Building and private events Karts reach up to 70k • “Real Racing” Open Late! 10am-midnight 2100 Viceroy Place, Richmond BC 604-232-9196 | www.tbcir.ca richmondoval.ca/10years @richmondoval richmondsentinel.ca February 19 - March 2, 2020 CITY NEWS | 3 Mayor prefers tunnel for Massey crossing By DON FENNELL @richmondsentinel unnel or bridge. The question persists. T Following an information session on the fu- ture of the George Massey crossing recently in Richmond, Mayor Malcolm Brodie said he is “con- vinced from an operational point of view the tun- nel option would give us all the advantages we are looking for, and would move us well into the future.” Richmond city councillors Carol Day and Harold Steves were also among the more than 100 peo- ple who attended the public“ session, hosted by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The ministry introduced plans for the first phase of the crossing project, which will help alleviate con- gestion on either side of the existing Deas Island Tunnel. The open The tunnel option house session also provided would give us all the opportunities Photo by Hannah Scott for further pub- More than 100 people attended an information session on the future of the George Massey advantages we are lic feedback, crossing recently at the Richmond Olympic Oval. looking for. noted Lina Hal- wani, Director The hope is to have the business case completed Halwani said a lot of technical work and traffic – Malcolm Brodie of Planning and by this fall. modelling has been done for either a bridge or South Coast Re- “Once the business case is completed, we are tunnel. The conclusion is that either option would gion Major Proj- going to seek funding partners, and then an envi- meet the demands of the future. ect Lead. ronmental process would start,” Halwani said. Either a proposed bridge or tunnel would have She said ongoing engagement with Indigenous It could take up two years to complete an envi- eight lanes, with six for general traffic and two re- communities, as well as task force recommenda- ronmental assessment for a bridge crossing and served for transit—one in each direction. Incor- tions and further technical work, will all be consid- up to three years for a tunnel. Once funding is se- porating pedestrian and cycling facilities has also ered by the ministry before a final decision on the cured, an additional five years will be needed for been supported. preferred option is made in the coming months. the construction phase. •[email protected] Key considerations for either option include: Immersed Tube Tunnel Concept Long-span Bridge Concept • separated and covered multi-use pathways • separated multi-use pathways • similar grade as bridge • similar grade as tunnel • low property impact • land-side property impacts, including Deas Island Regional Park • improved connectivity within Deas Island Regional Park • no piers in the Fraser River, however piers required in Deas Slough • in-river impacts during construction • long-term noise, light, visual and shading effects • potential for in-river habitat enhancement • local construction expertise • ventilation system designed to modern standards • longer crossing, compared to a tunnel • emergency systems designed to modern standards, including fire • comparable cost to immersed tube tunnel detection, response and communications • shorter crossing, compared to bridge Estimated Schedule • comparable cost to bridge • 1-2 years for environmental review • 5 years for construction 4 | CITY NEWS February 19 - March 2, 2020 RICHMOND SENTINEL January snowfall was well past normal ichmond received more snow in used 746,000 litres of salt brine—equal RJanuary than it would normally get to over 4,950 average bath tubs. in an entire winter. “While the January 2020 snow event And spring doesn’t arrive until 8:50 saw long hours and a seemingly end- p.m. Pacific Time March 19. less war against Mother Nature, the According to data from Vancouver City of Richmond is aware of the chal- International Airport’s weather moni- lenges winter weather brings to resi- toring station, Richmond received 34.6 dents, their daily activities and safety,” centimetres of snow from Jan. 10 to 18. said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “That’s That’s more than the annual snowfall why the city has a snow strategy in received each winter since 2008 (with place to focus on keeping main roads the exception of 2017, when the city and major transit routes open as a pri- saw 43.4 centimetres). ority, with arterial roads and residential Despite the extensive snow dump streets to follow.” over such a short period, the city says The city appreciates and thanks Photo by Don Fennell crews worked around the clock in residents for doing their part to shov- Winter is far from over and already the city has received more snow back-to-back 12 hour shifts to keep up el sidewalks and keep street storm than it typically gets all season. with evolving weather conditions. Be- drains clear. They also recognize the tween Jan. 10 and 18, city crews cov- patience many showed while snow and Facebook feeds. just under 1 degree Celsius. The great- ered 22,818 kilometres clearing and clearing occurred, and for following Environment Canada records indi- est single day snowfall was 7.4 centi- treating Richmond’s roads; dispersed and providing input on the regular cate the average high in Metro Van- metres in 1961, with the most snow on 1,434 tonnes of salt—the weight of al- weather updates and safety informa- couver in January is just below 7 de- the ground (between 1955 and 2013) most three Airbus A380 aircraft; and tion posted through the city’s Twitter grees Celsius, while the average low being 18 centimetres in 1969. Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives receives provincial grant By HANNAH SCOTT dents,” Gavsie says. Local Journalism Initiative reporter “The community grant is huge for the Christmas Fund,” says Richmond South Centre MLA Linda ichmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG) has re- Reid. “They handed out 11,000 toys this year.” Rceived a BC Community Gaming Grant to help Reid praises the community support provided by support their programs. The money will support RCRG. “I think we all have a responsibility to give a their Christmas Fund, information centre, and se- hand up every now and then.