Coquitlam construction site ‘stabilized’ after wall collapse: city
Posted December 4, 2023 5:07 pm.
Last Updated December 4, 2023 5:31 pm.
The City of Coquitlam says the construction site where a shoring retention wall collapsed last week has now been “stabilized.”
In a series of social media posts, the city says “remediation work is ongoing” following the geotechnical issue at 500 Foster Avenue on Nov. 29.
It explains there has been no further movement at the site and the cavity that contributed to the collapse is nearly filled.
Foster Avenue remains closed to local vehicle traffic until remediation work is complete.
Amacon, the developer, told CityNews in a statement that “a section of the shoring retention wall … failed, resulting in soil collapsing into the excavated site and a cavity in the soil in the area adjacent to the property.”
“All work on site had attained the required permits, and thoroughly vetted and monitored by the geotechnical and engineering consultants,” Amacon added.
City officials say they’ve placed sandbags and plastic sheets at the site to protect it from the heavy rains in the region this week.
Due to the temporary nature of the shoring wall, it’s not subject to the BC Building Code and city oversight. Instead, the city says it’s up to the site’s geotechnical engineers to ensure safety with these structures.
The City of Coquitlam notes it has taken the extra step of requiring Amacon to hire a third-party geotechnical engineer to oversee the work until remediation is complete — something that is not normally standard practice.
