As part of the project, important environmental and habitat work is taking place on‐and off‐corridor to deliver the project to the highest environmental standards. There are several key environmental projects taking place in the Vancouver/Burnaby area:
Still Creek – Burnaby
New stream habitat will be created adjacent to Still Creek (near the Willingdon Avenue Interchange) and will provide winter rearing habitat for young Coho Salmon. The new habitat will be a back‐watered, off‐channel pool (see graphic below), which means it has only one entrance and exit for water flow. The new pool will be created using rock, gravel and large woody debris, planted around the edges with native vegetation. Additionally at Still Creek itself, the existing culverts are being replaced by a new bridge.
Buena Vista Creek – Burnaby
In August 2009, work began at Buena Vista Creek (near Gaglardi Way Interchange) to create habitat and improve habitat connectivity between the large natural areas of Robert Burnaby Park (south of Highway 1) and Burnaby Lake Regional Park (north of Highway 1). Three new fish and wildlife crossing culverts will be constructed; two under Highway 1 and one under the eastbound Highway 1 off‐ramp to Gaglardi Way.
Approximately 3,800 m2 of new aquatic habitat, and 15,000 m2 of new stream‐side habitat will be created as part of this work. Stream habitat will be created using rock, gravel and large woody debris, and the edges of the new watercourses will be lined with native plants. Work on the Buena Vista Creek area is being completed in stages, with the final plantings complete in 2012.
Other Projects
Other fish habitat improvement work scheduled for completion as part of the PMH1 Project (details to come as scope is finalized) includes the following in the Burnaby area:
Upper Brunette River to the south of Highway 1 between Gaglardi Way and North Road
Holmes and Lost Creeks to the south of Highway 1 between the Brunette River and North Road
Burnaby Lake Tributaries to the south of Highway 1 between Kensington Avenue and Gaglardi Way
Cedar Creek to the northwest of Gaglardi Way
Deer Lake Brook, to the southeast of Kensington Avenue
A creek to the northeast of Kensington Avenue Interchange