Port Mann Water Supply Tunnel

About This Project

In 2006, to replace an existing, almost 40-year-old water main, Metro Vancouver broke ground on a brand-new tunnel to move fresh drinking water across the Fraser River between Coquitlam and Surrey, BC. The new tunnel doubles the capacity of its predecessor and features several important seismic upgrades—including the ability to handle up to 6 metres of movement.

Lying 55 metres below the river’s surface, the tunnel connects to Metro Vancouver’s water system through vertical shafts that rise to portals on both shores. South of the river on the Surrey side, the portal opens into a residential subdivision. On the Coquitlam side, the portal is adjacent to a waterfront park and commercial complex, whose tenants include a business with vibration-sensitive operations.

Acoustical challenges

BKL joined the design team early in the project, hired to assess construction noise and vibration related to the excavation and tunnelling work on both sides of the river. Since the project involved long-term construction work—lasting years—minimizing the impacts of noise and vibration was critical.

Using a computer model, BKL determined how construction noise would affect nearby residences and businesses.

Scope of services

BKL monitored baseline noise at multiple locations and predicted construction noise at both tunnel portals using 3-D noise mapping software. The team then assessed potential noise mitigation options, such as temporary noise barriers, and made recommendations for both the primary and alternate portal sites. In addition to noise emitted from the construction sites, BKL also predicted and assessed noise from the increased truck traffic that would pass through the quiet residential area. BKL also considered potential vibration impacts at the vibration-sensitive commercial operation near the Coquitlam portal. To engage the community, BKL participated in a public open house and discussed the construction noise with residents and business owners.

Project benefits

In completing its construction noise and vibration assessment, BKL

monitored baseline noise levels throughout the project area;
created a 3-D noise model of construction sites on both sides of the river and predicted how noise would affect nearby residences, businesses and parks;
predicted and assessed noise and vibration created by increased truck traffic to both sites;
recommended mitigation measures to limit the impacts of construction noise and vibration; and
met with residents and business owners at an open house to discuss the impacts of construction noise and vibration.

Through careful planning and close collaboration with the design team, BKL’s acoustical consultants navigated the unique challenges of this project and helped limit the effects of construction noise on residents and businesses in the area. BKL is proud to have contributed to the success of this award-winning project, which will deliver fresh water to Metro Vancouver residents for decades to come.

The People Behind Our Work

Our Technical Leads
Our Team

Brigette Martin

P.Eng., WELL AP

Technical Director, Sound and Vibration Measurements

Brigette Martin, P.Eng., WELL AP

Technical Director, Sound and Vibration Measurements

Brigette Martin graduated from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2009. Before joining BKL in 2015, Brigette worked as an acoustic consultant on various building and environmental projects throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Brigette has extensive experience with environmental noise including assessing noise impacts and designing noise mitigation for gas compressor and pump stations, power generation sites, port terminals, and transformers sites; modelling construction noise, and developing construction noise abatement and management plans; designing noise controls and preparing noise management plans for mines and quarries; and monitoring benchmark noise, developing 3-D noise models, and designing noise walls for road infrastructure projects.

In the area of building acoustics, Brigette has been involved in numerous projects and has consulted on sound insulation and mechanical services design, as well as controlling external noise intrusion and reverberation noise levels, and optimizing speech clarity for critical spaces.

Over her career, Brigette has gained experience with a wide range of technical equipment and software including Insul, SoundPLAN, Cadna/A, SONarchitect, Brüel & Kjær analyzers, and numerous other sound level meters.

Brigette has also developed and presented training courses for using acoustical software and sound level meters for acoustical engineers and clients throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Trevor Cheng

P.Eng., MIOA

Managing Specialist Acoustical Consultant

Trevor Cheng, P.Eng., MIOA

Managing Specialist Acoustical Consultant

Trevor Cheng holds a bachelor of applied science (engineering physics) from University of British Columbia and joined BKL in January 2016, with experience in environmental and architectural acoustics, as well as condition monitoring, and machine vibration analysis and diagnostics.

With BKL, Trevor has primarily been involved in transportation, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects. His work experience includes measuring baseline noise conditions, predicting future noise environments, assessing noise impact, and offering mitigation measures where appropriate.

Trevor also has experience in architectural acoustics, working on hospitals, performance spaces, and multipurpose buildings. He is proficient in measuring noise insulation performance, reviewing building designs, and predicting noise levels from HVAC equipment.

Prior to joining BKL, Trevor worked in London, UK, on a wide variety of projects ranging from large-scale architectural renovations to major airport improvement works. He has unique experience in measuring and assessing noise and vibration in buildings from underground rail sources.

He also has experience using sound level meters by Brüel & Kjær, Norsonic, and Larson Davis, and software tools such as Cadna/A. He is familiar with ASTC/AIIC testing and using acoustic software including Insul, SONarchitect, and EASE for indoor noise predictions.

Trevor is a member of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) in the UK.