Metro Vancouver says it plans to recommence construction on the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program following a thorough review conducted by a Metro Vancouver Board Task Force.
As part of this review, the Task Force assessed the overall program and evaluated staff efforts to revise cost estimates for completing the program, which includes the treatment plant, conveyance project, and preliminary design for decommissioning the old Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Metro Vancouver commissioned three separate cost estimates, considering market conditions, inflation, interest rates, and the engagement of a new contractor. Based on this analysis, Metro Vancouver estimates the cost to be $3.86 billion. The treatment plant is expected to be substantially completed by 2030, Metro Vancouver said in an update.
Metro Vancouver said it plans to finalize a contract for the plant’s construction in the upcoming months. Concurrently, PCL, the construction manager, will continue early works, while AECOM will finalize the plant design. Local residents, including Coun. Catherine Pope, have called for a public enquiry into the North Shore wastewater treatment plans fiasco.
Yesterday, a CityNews reported that Acciona, the infrastructure contractor for the project has initiated legal action against Metro Vancouver, seeking damages exceeding $250 million for the termination of the project. The claim was in fact filed in 2022.
“Metro Vancouver filed a response in June 2022 to Acciona’s claim regarding the termination of their contract to design and build the NSWWTP, and also issued a counterclaim against Acciona and related companies. Our damages in the counterclaim amount to $500 million dollars. This amount includes, but is not limited to, costs to transition to a new contractor, costs to repair deficient design and construction by Acciona, and increased costs to finish the project,” said Jennifer Saltman, a senior media relations specialist for Metro Vancouver.
Metro Vancouver project’s cancellation stemmed from delays and budget overruns in finalizing the treatment plant.
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