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New date set for FortisBC meeting on Burnaby traffic disruptions

A new date has been set after snow on Wednesday cancelled a Burnaby public meeting about FortisBC gas line upgrades. The meeting will take place on Feb.
fortis disruptions
Work on the FortisBC gas line near Brentwood in Burnaby from summer 2018. NOW FILES

A new date has been set after snow on Wednesday cancelled a Burnaby public meeting about FortisBC gas line upgrades.

The meeting will take place on Feb. 28 at Cameron Recreation Centre, 5:30 to 7:30, detailing traffic disruptions expected to be caused by the project, and hear public input.

FortisBC is upgrading its natural gas line – it was built in 1958 - in February, spreading to different locations through April. FortisBC is upgrading 20 kilometres of gas line between Vancouver to Coquitlam. 

Work started last year in Vancouver and Burnaby, and in 2019 the project will move east with construction on Lougheed Highway and Broadway in Burnaby and on Como Lake Avenue in Coquitlam. 

“We understand it can be disruptive to have a major construction project in your neighbourhood, which is why our goal is to complete work safely and as quickly as possible,” said Doug Stout, vice-president, market development and external relations, FortisBC, in a statement. “We want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding, both so far and as we complete construction this year.”

Each phase of the project will require road disruptions and the company mapped out the areas and timelines for Burnaby.

  • Lougheed Highway at Springer Avenue will see lane closures starting in March.
  • Lougheed at Madison Avenue will see lane closures starting in February.
  • Lougheed between Sperling and Bainbridge avenues will see lane closures starting in February.
  • Bainbridge between Lougheed and Broadway will be local traffic and emergency services only starting in March
  • Broadway between Bainbridge and Underhill will be local traffic and emergency services only starting in March.
  • Broadway/Gaglardi Way, with the cross streets of Production Way to North Road, will see lane closures starting in April.
  • In Coquitlam, various sections of Como Lake Avenue will see lane closures running from March through July.
fortisBC map
The line in orange shows the path FortisBC is following for its gas line project. CONTRIBUTED

The gas line upgrades are scheduled to be completed in 2019, with 12 kilometres of new gas line being built and roads along the project route facing disruptions during construction. The community can stay informed, including on traffic, through the project website TalkingEnergy.ca. 

A total of 8 kilometres of new line was built in Vancouver and Burnaby in 2018, including on East 1st Avenue which re-opened on schedule at the end of August. Natural gas facilities on Woodland Drive in Vancouver and Mariner Way in Coquitlam are also being upgraded as part of the project.