The first transportation project— worldwide—to have secured a Platinum Envision award.
International trade continues to grow, and improving our port areas builds our economy. Seems like an easy win—the thing is, when industrial, commercial, and residential interests all intersect over one piece of infrastructure, it can be challenging to balance all the various perspectives. By raising the level of the road, we could improve safety and efficiency for commuters and rail businesses alike—but where did that leave the community? When we got right to it, we discovered that designing with community in mind was the real heart of the Low Level Road project. The days of designing infrastructure to just do what it’s designed to do are over.
With the new Neptune/Cargill overpass we eliminated three at-grade rail crossings, making commutes safer and faster. Plus, there were added benefits—fewer train stops meant fewer train whistles for residents and less shunting noise from starting or stopping the trains. All throughout the Low Level Road project development, design choices were made that would reduce visual impacts, noise pollution, the ecological footprint, and traffic congestion while also clearing the way for road and rail improvements.
Using a widespread team of engineers and architects, we paved the way with every facet of design on this project. A global reach to support a local challenge. A dozen offices came together to contribute transportation infrastructure engineering, landscape architecture, water engineering, geotechnical engineering, and more.
As the world’s first transportation project to receive an Envision Platinum award for sustainable infrastructure, there’s quite a bit under the hood. Low Level Road scored highly in quality of life, leadership, natural world, and climate and risk. This earned the project the highest level possible accreditation through the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI).
Recently, the City of North Vancouver published a Climate Change Adaptation Plan. By aligning the development with that plan, the design is prepared for the expected climate change risks and impacts. Plus, with the more efficient roadways, emissions were reduced and commutes were improved.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
-
- Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
- Awards
- 2016 Association of Consulting Engineering Companies, Canada Award of Excellence, Transportation
- 2015 Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Platinum Award
- 2015 APEGBC Sea to Sky Branch Peak of Excellence Award
Our infrastructure projects are designed to optimize the safe and sustainable movement of people and goods.
Lourette Swanepoel, Senior Sustainability and Resilience Consultant, Independent Contractor
With strategic planning we can influence shifts in our Stantec practices and externally in the marketplace—improving the decision-making process.
David Kong, Associate
A good design solves the problem and exceeds expectations.
Thys Fourie, Principal, Buildings
Developing technical skills is important, but knowing how to apply them successfully is even more important.
David Thatcher, Vice President, Transportation
My transportation decisions and recommendations are always rooted in how I can positively enhance the communities we work with.
Peter Brayford, Senior Principal, Program Management (Canada)
Do good work, build relationships, and the rest takes care of itself.
Myles Lewis, Bridge Engineer
Quality doesn’t happen by accident; it takes a methodical approach with great collaborative effort.
We're better together
-
Become a client
Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You’re exactly what’s needed to help us make it happen in your community.
Contact Us -
Design your career
Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.
Join the Team