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

Mission: Fraser River Forcemain Installation

FRPD delivered the marine installation for the City of Mission’s new 900-mm forcemain crossing of the Fraser River. The work included open-trench excavation, removal and management of river material, and controlled backfilling to protect the pipeline and riverbed. This complex marine crossing improved wastewater capacity and provided critical redundancy for Mission’s sewer network.

Problem

The City of Mission needed additional wastewater capacity and backup capability to serve a growing population and ensure system reliability. Installing a large-diameter forcemain across the Fraser River required precise trenching over 950 metres of active riverbed, removal of 585,000 m³ of material, and controlled backfilling to prevent scour and protect the pipeline. Work had to account for varying design elevations, foreshore obstructions and the risk of trench instability caused by strong river currents.

Solution

FRPD delivered the full marine installation of the new forcemain crossing. Crews excavated the 950-metre trench using open-cut methods, pulled the pipeline from Abbotsford to Mission, and completed controlled backfilling to secure and protect the new infrastructure.

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Key Facts

Dredging

  • Excavated 950-metre trench at varying design elevations across the Fraser River
  • Removed approximately 585,000 m³ of river sand using the Columbia cutter suction dredge
  • Hydraulically pumped dredged material to upland stockpiles within the project footprint
  • Dewatered, levelled and stabilized stockpiles with bulldozers for hydroseeding
  • Used marine derricks with clamshells to dredge foreshore areas and remove riprap and obstructions
  • Performed daily bathymetric surveys to verify design depths and monitor trench stability

Pipeline installation and backfilling

  • Pulled 900-mm diameter forcemain across the river using open-trench methods
  • Maintained trench integrity through continuous monitoring prior to pipe installation
  • Dredged backfill material from a nearby borrow pit using the Columbia cutter suction dredge
  • Pumped material into the trench using a diffuser pipe to control flow and prevent scour
  • Placed foreshore backfill with clamshell derricks
  • Installed a 150-mm rock base layer, capped with 100-kg riprap for long-term protection

FRPD successfully completed the pipe pull and restored the riverbed and foreshore with controlled placement methods. The new forcemain provides Mission with expanded wastewater capacity and essential system redundancy.