Innovation Summer 2025

SECOND NARROWS WATER SUPPLY TUNNEL The Second Narrows water supply tunnel project, completed in 2025, marks a major technical achievement for making Metro Vancouver’s water supply more reliable and resilient. Spanning 1.1 km under Burrard Inlet, this 6.5-m diameter tunnel connects North Vancouver and Burnaby, and is designed to withstand a one-in-10,000-year earthquake and anticipated sea level rise over two centuries. It’s the first pressurized face-bored tunnel crossing of Burrard Inlet and one of the highest pressure soft ground tunnels ever built in Canada. The project navigated engineering challenges including complex ground conditions ranging from gravelly soils to weak rock, and groundwater pressures exceeding six bar. Metro Vancouver’s innovative approach included deploying a state-of the-art 6.7-m diameter slurry tunnel boring machine, the first of its kind in Canada, operated by highly specialized experts to ensure precision and safety. Company: Metro Vancouver Water Services ALLIANCE FRANÇ AISE The Alliance Française Vancouver is the first mass timber assembly occupancy structure over 2 storeys allowed to be built within the City of Vancouver. The 4-storey mass timber and steel hybrid building houses classrooms, artist spaces, a gallery, and a theatre. The structure features a glulam post-and-beam system with cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor plates, while the theatre uses a steel framework. Masonry shear walls and fire separations ensure safety, and an underground parkade provides stability. Prefabricated CLT panels and pre-finished glulam beams sped up construction, minimizing waste. The building’s design enhances fire resistance and uses exposed mass timber to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This low-carbon building prioritizes sustainability and carbon reduction, showcasing innovative construction techniques and efficient resource use. It creates a community space for Francophone culture while meeting safety and environmental goals. Company: Equilibrium Consulting Inc. Participants: Eric Karsh, M.Eng., P.Eng., Struct.Eng., ing. (QC), FIStructE (UK); Omer Mohammed, P.Eng., PE; Rhys Viljoen. P hoto : C ourtesy of naturally : wood

Participants: Delve Underground: J. Andrew McGlenn, P.Eng. Metro Vancouver. Traylor-Aecon General Partnership: Mott MacDonald. P hoto : J ozef P ovazan P hotography

Innovation Summer 2025

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