The District of Squamish (DOS) this week received $442,200 in federal-provincial infrastructure money for upgrades to the community's flood-protection infrastructure.
The money, announced in a joint statement issued on Thursday (Jan. 26), is targeted for upgrades to the Harris Slough Pump Station, the Whittaker Slough Floodbox and the Stawamus River Dike, and the installation of a water-level monitoring station at the Fergie's Bridge crossing of the Cheakamus River.
Last year, DOS officials estimated it would take between $2 and $4 million to bring Squamish's dikes and flood-related infrastructure up to provincial standards. Last year the DOS received a $1.2 million federal-provincial grant and put it toward gravel removal and dike upgrades along the Squamish River near Brackendale.
Squamish was one of 20 B.C. communities to receive money in the round of infrastructure grants announced this week. The federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for such projects, with local governments and diking authorities covering the remainder.
"Flood protection is critical for our community and these funds allow the District of Squamish to complete four flood protection projects that are high priorities for our community," said Mayor Rob Kirkham, who also offered thanks to senior levels of government.
