Site Update: Preload Activities
Works Yard Replacement Project Phase 1 preload activities begin August 24, 2026 and involve the placement and movement of preload material on site.
If you have questions or concerns:
| WYPlanning@richmond.ca |
About the City of Richmond Works Yard
The City of Richmond Works Yard delivers essential services that include day-to-day operations, infrastructure maintenance, emergency response and disaster recovery that keep our community safe, healthy, and functioning every day.
Built in 1981, the current Works Yard no longer meets today’s building code, safety standards nor post-disaster standards. In the event of a major earthquake or flood, the site could be severely damaged and unable to operate— putting critical services at risk and limiting the City’s ability to respond and recover when residents need us the most.
This is why the Works Yard will be completely reconstructed at its existing site, 5599 Lynas Lane, creating a modern, resilient and sustainable facility designed to serve the community for decades to come.
Project Highlights
The new Works Yard will be built in three phases over 10 years. Operations will continue throughout construction to ensure we provide uninterrupted service to the community.
Phase 1 is underway and includes:
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Civil works and ground improvements
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Main building, workshops and parking construction
The new facility will:
- Strengthen Richmond’s ability to respond to weather events, emergencies and natural disasters
- Support essential services that protect the health, safety and mobility of residents and businesses
- Be innovative, resilient, sustainable, and designed for long-term growth
- Incorporate existing trees and berms into the design with minimal disturbance while maintaining the site’s green buffer
- Be built to post-disaster and flood-resilient standards (4.7 m geodetic elevation)
Architectural Team: TKA+D Architecture + Design Inc.
Construction Manager: PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.
Building in Phases
Concept design provides an early look at the size, shape and layout of the new facility. It helps show how the new Works Yard will fit into the surrounding neighbourhood.
To ensure the Works Yard continues to operate smoothly and serve the community throughout the 10-year construction period, the project is following a three-phase approach. This requires careful coordination and planning across all construction and operational activities. A dedicated onsite team is in place to manage the process—reducing disruption, maintaining safety, and ensuring services continue uninterrupted.
Form and Character
Form and Character of the building and site describe the overall appearance, including its general shape, massing, materials, architectural expression, and design style.
The Phase 1 design supports a functional, resilient, and cohesive replacement of the Works Yard. It responds to key project parameters, including post-disaster construction requirements, the targeted Flood Construction Level for operational areas, and the integration of existing perimeter trees and berms into the overall site strategy.
The layout maintains service continuity during redevelopment, while the design balances operational needs with neighbourhood interface considerations and establishes a durable civic-industrial character for future phases. Together, these elements support a safe, prepared community and help ensure the City remains prepared to serve the community.
Where feasible, the project will prioritize locally sourced, durable materials, with consideration for supply chain reliability, long-term maintenance, and efficient operations. The approach also maximizes the use of internal City resources and trades to support cost-effective maintenance over the building’s life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ground improvements include preload with stone columns—a proven method used in Richmond for major civic projects. This approach helps control long-term settlement for critical infrastructure.
Preload activities begin Q3 2026
The construction site is a restricted-access zone, closed to visitors and City staff, and is fully separated from the active Works Yard operations site.
While the Works Yard remains operational and continues to provide essential services to the community, access routes, parking, arrival procedures and movement through the site have changed.
Enabling works are the essential activities that prepare a site for construction.
These works prepared the Works Yard site to ensure operations will continue safely and efficiently throughout the multi-phased build.
Some key enabling works included:
- Site clearance and reconfiguration
- Utility relocations
- Staff relocation
- Site condition investigations
- Ground improvement works
Completed Q3 2026
Yes. Some noise is expected, as the Works Yard remains operational during construction. Mitigation measures will be in place and every effort will be made to minimize neighbourhood impacts where possible.
Typical construction hours are 7:00am to 5:00pm., Monday to Friday, and in compliance with Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 8856. Advance notice will be provided for any work outside the hours.
Safety, service continuity, and community considerations—such as access and noise—remain top priorities.
Traffic control personnel or signage as needed to help maintain safe vehicle and pedestrian movement.
Traffic management plans will be in place to reduce disruptions. Temporary detours, lane reductions, or changes to access routes may occur during certain stages.
Residents may notice increased construction and higher-than-usual truck activity. They will be notified in advance of any major impacts.
A new visitor parking and public services area (e.g. sand bags) was constructed.
Preserving existing trees and berms is a key design parameter approved by Council. These existing features will be incorporated into the new facility’s design with minimal disturbance.
On November 28, 2025, City staff parking was relocated with access via River Road. Parking is restricted to registered City of Richmond staff only.
No. The Recycling Depot will remain operational—along with the Works Yard—during construction, with minimal impact to residents. It is not part of the Works Yard Replacement Project.
No. The Skateboard Park is not part of the Works Yard Replacement Project.
No. The Richmond School District is not part of the Works Yard Replacement Project.
Yes. The public EV charger was relocated to River Road and Lynas Lane, near the Skateboard Park.
The Works Yard Replacement Project aligns with the City of Richmond’s strategic initiatives, sustainability goals, and regulatory standards. This includes environmental policies, energy efficiency targets, accessibility requirements, and long-term infrastructure planning. The project is guided by Council-approved Guiding Principles that reflect the City’s commitment to operational excellence, sustainable development, and community service. The new facility is intended to support a resilient, efficient future for Richmond while upholding the City’s values and long-term vision.
The Works Yard Replacement Project is expected to be completed in 2034, with an estimated timeline of 10 years, following a phased approach (3 phases) to ensure continued operations and uninterrupted service to the community.
The Works Yard sits directly on the former McCallan stop of the Lulu Island Line—an interurban route that was part of the BC Electric Railway. This line once served the rural Brighouse area, helping connect agricultural and industrial workers to Vancouver and Steveston. The Works Yard was built around the original railway tracks in the late 1970s and early 1980s, inheriting a curve that remained even after the tracks were removed—a reminder of the past that still shapes the site today.
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