FRPD is Canada’s largest dredging, marine and heavy civil construction contractor, with over a century of industry leadership.

BOSA Pier West: Demolition & Interlock Pipe Wall

FRPD was contracted by BOSA Development Ltd. in 2018 to support construction of two landmark residential towers in New Westminster. The project required phased demolition of a 70,000 ft² creosote-treated timber dock and installation of a 900-ft interlocked pipe pile wall to enable excavation for a three-storey parkade.

Problem

The existing timber dock had to be fully removed before tower construction, with strict controls to manage creosote materials and prevent debris from entering the Fraser River. The site required a high-capacity foundation system to support the 53-storey and 43-storey high-rise towers, and a deep excavation in variable ground conditions. Work also needed to be completed in phases to maintain temporary access on portions of the existing dock during construction.

Solution

FRPD delivered the complete marine demolition and foundation package for Pier West. Crews used controlled sawcutting and hoisting methods to remove the existing dock in sections, installed a cantilevered pipe pile wall for excavation support and drove deep foundation piles for both towers. These approaches minimized environmental impact, preserved temporary access during staged demolition and prevented debris from entering the Fraser River.

marine construction page
Key Facts

Demolition phase

  • Sawcut timber dock superstructure to protect the remaining work area
  • Hoisted full dock sections onto barges for safe, controlled removal
  • Transported dock sections to FRPD’s No. 8 Road Barge Ramp facility in Richmond
  • Processed superstructure components and disposed of creosote materials in accordance with regulations
  • Installed silt curtains and supported fish salvage operations to mitigate environmental impacts

Perimeter wall

  • Installed 171 interlocked pipe piles (5-ft diameter, 1″ wall thickness, 90-ft long)
  • Constructed a cantilevered wall to support excavation for the three-storey parkade
  • Used a D180 diesel hammer to advance piles through variable till conditions

Tower foundations

  • Installed 336 foundation piles, each 36″ diameter with ¾” wall thickness and driven to 100 ft
  • Completed pile driving for both tower footprints
  • Installed core sheet piling along the tower perimeters to support excavation

The 53-storey Pier West tower, completed in 2023, is now the tallest building between downtown Vancouver and downtown Calgary, creating a new architectural landmark on the New Westminster waterfront.