To facilitate pedestrian safety and help calm traffic in residential areas the City has been bulging the curbs at intersections.  This helps make pedestrians more visible before they step on to the street and reduces the crossing distances to the opposite curb.

In some locations the realigned curb affects existing catch basins that until now have had to be relocated.  To reduce the costs associated with this additional work as well the amount of rainwater that flows into the sewers, I have designed a steel inlet to allow the runoff to flow through the curb.  This steel curb inlet allows storm water from the street to be channeled into the planted areas behind curbs.  Here the water is able to gradually infiltrate into the ground.  When the storm is too severe and the ground can no longer absorb it, the excess water drains into the sewer.  This helps reduce and slow the flow of water that would have otherwise quickly passed through the sewers and possibly into adjacent creeks.  Reducing the rush of water from entering steams helps to support fish habitat by more closely mimicking natural processes.

  We have completed 3 infiltration bulges to date and have plans for more.  The steel inserts cost approximately $150 to fabricate at the City Works Yard.  The cost to relocate the catch basin in the tradition corner bulges is approximately $5000. 

  David Yurkovich    City of Vancouver

  Tel:  604 873-7526