BIRCH BAY DRIVE & PT. WHITEHORN ROAD DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS

Construction on this project occurred from September 2019 - February 2020.

For more information, contact Kraig Olason, Senior Planner, Whatcom County Public Works, 360-778-6301.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

In December 2017, the failure of a corrugated metal outfall pipe on Point Whitehorn caused significant slope failure on a steep bluff to the shoreline, posing a critical public safety issue and the potential loss of personal property. The replacement of this outfall was scheduled for construction in 2021, but this pipe failure called for emergency action. A temporary flexible pipe (see photo below) has been installed until a permanent solution can be constructed. Tetra Tech, Inc. was hired to develop conceptual design options and provide engineering design services for the preferred solution, which is to by-pass the current outfall and route water to an existing discharge point just east of Point Whitehorn Road. This is rated as a high priority project in the Birch Bay Subwatershed Master Plan and proposed six-year plan.

Recent discussions between BBWARM and the Birch Bay Water and Sewer District (BBWSD) revealed that both districts were planning utility repair projects in the same corridor from Pt. Whitehorn Road to Holeman Avenue. Coordination of these projects will save both districts money and lessen the impact to the neighborhood. Therefore, the scope of the original design contract with Tetra Tech was amended in June 2019 to include a larger project area that aligns with BBWSD's waterline maintenance project.

This project was completed in February 2020. Check below for more information.

Construction Year: 2019-2020

Engineer: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Contractor: Iverson Earth Works, LLC

Construction Contract: Phase I: $38,000, Phase II: $820,608.86

Documents:

Public Meeting PowerPoint

For More Information: contact Kraig Olason at 360-778-6301

PHASE 1: SLOPE STABILIZATION

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

In December 2017, the failure of a corrugated metal outfall pipe on Birch Bay Drive caused a significant slope failure on a steep bluff to the shoreline, posing a critical public safety issue. The replacement of this outfall was scheduled for construction in 2021, but this pipe failure called for emergency action. Temporary repairs were installed immediately, with the majority of the final repair constructed in early January 2019 (see photo sequence below). In May 2019, an additional storm drainage line was installed near the top of the bank toward the roadway to complete the project.

Construction Year: 2019

Engineer of Record: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Contractor: Iverson Earth Works, LLC

Construction Contract Amount: $38,000

PHASE 2: DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project improved drainage along Birch Bay Drive by installing an upsized storm pipe conveyance system along Birch Bay Drive between Pt. Whitehorn Road and Holeman Ave. This project also constructed a new outfall off of Pt. Whitehorn Road into an existing pond as the existing outfall ditch to the Beaver Pond was becoming heavily incised and eroded.

The new system was designed to convey the 100-year storm event and the new pipe sizes vary from 12” to 24” in diameter, with approximately 30 new catch basins installed.

Underground utility conflicts were identified and relocated before construction began in September 2019. Some poor weather conditions slightly delayed construction, but the project reached substantial completion in November 2019 and final work was completed by late February 2020.

The aerial map below shows the regions where the new stormwater infrastructure was constructed for the project.

Construction Year: 2019

Engineer of Record: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Contractor: Iverson Earth Works, LLC

Construction Contract Amount: $820,608.86

PROJECT AREA

PROJECT UPDATES

3/26/2020

After reaching substantial completion of the project on November 21, 2019, several small issues were identified that required further construction work. An existing cross culvert on Birch Bay Drive was found to be damaged and was replaced, and problems with standing water at the project site were solved with the installation of French drains. This final work was completed in late February, and the project is now deemed complete!

The newly completed outfall draining into Beaver Pond during heavy rainfall in late January.

French drains were installed to eliminate standing water issues that were observed after the project was complete as bid.

12/2/2019

Iverson Earth Works, LLC has substantially completed the project with only minor punch list items remaining to physically complete the work. Weather dependent, all work will be completed the week of December 9, 2019. Iverson Earth Works, LLC has done quality work in constructing this project and a special thank you to the public for their cooperation during construction.

11/8/2019

Iverson Earth Works has completed installing the large outfall pipe and rock pad by the pond off of Pt. Whitehorn Rd., as well as a large manhole installation along Pt. Whitehorn Rd. Approximately 500 feet of storm pipe remain to be installed along Birch Bay Drive this week and into the week of November 11, 2019, with the project being substantially complete the week of November 18, 2019, weather dependent.

10/25/2019

Iverson Earth Works began installation of a large outfall pipe and rock pad by the pond off of Pt. Whitehorn Road. Additional work has been occurring along Pt. Whitehorn Road between Birch Bay Drive and Helweg Lane with the installation of catch basins and storm pipe. A cross culvert under Pt. Whitethorn Road will be installed Tuesday, October 29, weather dependent.

10/16/2019

Construction work will be continuing on Birch Bay Drive and on Pt. Whitethorn Road. Installation of an outfall pipe to the pond will begin this week and a cross culvert under Pt. Whitethorn Road will occur Monday, October 21, 2019, weather dependent. To date, the contractor has installed nearly 2,000 feet of new storm pipe and catch basins.

10/1/2019

Construction work will be continuing down Birch Bay Drive towards Holeman Avenue. After this section is completed, work will be occurring between Jill Street and Pt. Whitehorn Road. To date, the contractor has installed over 1,000 feet of new storm pipe and catch basins.

9/24/2019

Construction by Iverson Earth Works, LLC began on Monday, September 16, 2019. Work began with clearing trees for the new outfall into the pond and placing quarry spalls and a turbidity curtain near the edge of the pond. Potholing for utilities is also occurring along the project length with new pipe and catch basins being installed between Holeman Ave and Jill Street.

8/28/2019

Phase 2: The project designs are complete and underground utility conflicts have been resolved by BBWSD. Iverson Earth Works was the lowest bidder for phase 2 of the Birch Bay Drive drainage improvement project, and construction is expected to begin on Monday, September 16,2019. This phase of construction is expected to last approximately 8 weeks. Public Notice signs have been posted on either end of the construction zone.

2/10/2019

Phase 1 of the Birch Bay Drive & Pt. Whitehorn Road Drainage Improvements Project involved stabilizing the slide area on Point Whitehorn and routing stormwater away from the bluff. Iverson Earth Works spent six days in January clearing vegetation, debris and loose material from the slide area and stabilizing the slope with rock. The full drainage improvement project along Birch Bay Drive from Holeman Avenue to Point Whitehorn Road (Phase 2) will be completed in the fall in coordination with the Birch Bay Water & Sewer District. Click here to view the project presentation shown at the January 16, 2019 public meeting.

12/12/2018

Iverson Earth Works was the lowest bidder for the Birch Bay Drive Outfall Improvements Slope Stabilization project and construction is expected to begin in the next week or so. They will be providing emergency repair services related to stabilizing a slide area and routing stormwater away from the bluff. The full drainage improvement project along Birch Bay Drive from Holeman Avenue to Point Whitehorn Road will be completed next year in coordination with the Birch Bay Water & Sewer District.

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