Inland Gas Upgrades
We’re upgrading 29 sections of our existing natural gas lines throughout inland regions of BC. These upgrades, combined with our ongoing inspection and maintenance activities, will make sure these lines continue to provide safe, reliable service for many years to come.
Construction overview
Some of the upgrades will allow us to inspect the inside of the gas lines using up-to-date in-line inspection equipment. This equipment will provide detailed information about the condition of each line which will help us to better plan and manage maintenance work. Construction activity includes reducing bends in the pipe and replacing fittings so the inspection equipment can move through the gas line.
Other upgrades include replacing gas lines and adding some pressure regulating stations that regulate the pressure of gas so that it can be moved safely through our system and delivered to homes and businesses.
We appreciate the public’s patience as we complete this work safely and as quickly as possible. To stay up-to-date on the project, subscribe to our newsletter.
Construction locations
In 2023, construction and related activities will be taking place across nine communities (see work location maps by clicking on the regions listed below). Site preparation work is expected to begin in late spring and summer with the majority of construction taking place throughout the summer into early fall.
Most work will be in remote locations with minimal public impacts. Traffic control personnel will be in place when equipment is moved into or out of work sites.
Project timeline
We submitted an application to our regulator, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), in 2018 and received approval in January 2020. Over the course of the project, work will take place across 18 communities in the Northern, Cariboo, Thompson-Okanagan and Kootenay regions of BC.
Received BCUC approval
Our regulator, the BC Utilities Commission, approved our application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the project.
Read more
Read less
Construction Year 1
In 2020, construction began in Mackenzie, Cranbrook and Sparwood.
Read more
Read less
Construction Year 2
The second year of Inland Gas Upgrades project took place in seven communities across BC.
Read more
Read less
Construction Year 3
The third year of construction took place across 12 communities in BC.
Read more
Read less
Construction Year 4
Work will be taking place across nine communities in BC.
Read more
Read less
Anticipated construction
Additional construction is planned to continue seasonally as we work across 18 communities throughout the province.
Read more
Read less
August 21, 2023
Work scope in Kamloops remains fluid
August 11, 2023
Work scope expands following re-opening of parks
August 10, 2023
Essential work permitted in Kenna Cartwright Park
June 19, 2023
Fourth year of project brings more benefits
May 31, 2022
Project enters third year and benefits continue to grow
October 29, 2021
Upcoming geotechnical investigations in Kenna Cartwright Nature Park, Kamloops
October 20, 2021
Join us for upcoming Kamloops information sessions
May 26, 2021
Construction resuming for year two of project
February 16, 2021
Where we are working in 2021
September 18, 2020
Upcoming field work in the North, Interior, and Kootenay regions
August 6, 2020
Construction to begin on major project
May 27, 2020
Preparation activities in Mackenzie, Cranbrook and Sparwood
January 21, 2020
Inland Gas Upgrades receive BCUC approval
December 17, 2018
Major milestone achieved
August 10, 2018
Dig a little, learn a lot
June 15, 2018
Exploring rights of way for habitat and heritage
What restoration are you doing in Kenna Cartwright Park, Kamloops?
Answered on:
Oct 11, 2023
Are you planning any community support or initiatives in Kenna Cartwright Park or elsewhere in Kamloops?
Answered on:
Oct 10, 2023
Why are you removing vegetation – including trees – as part of your restoration activities in Kenna Cartwright Park?
Answered on:
Oct 10, 2023
When will FortisBC complete the gas line upgrade in Kenna Cartwright Park, Kamloops?
Answered on:
Aug 10, 2023
Why is FortisBC still investing in natural gas instead of exploring cleaner energy solutions?
Answered on:
Nov 22, 2021
Will this work cause traffic and service disruptions?
Answered on:
Jun 9, 2021
How can I connect my home to natural gas?
Answered on:
Mar 17, 2021
How much will this project cost?
Answered on:
Mar 15, 2021
How do you protect the environment during this work?
Answered on:
Feb 24, 2021
As a contractor and/or vendor, how can I express interest in working on this project?
Answered on:
Oct 2, 2020
Pagination
Meaningful engagement
Delivering a project successfully requires ongoing and meaningful engagement with technical experts, stakeholders, Indigenous communities, customers and the local community. To stay up-to-date on the project, visit and bookmark our project Updates page or subscribe to our Talking Energy Inland Gas Upgrades newsletter.

Investing in local communities
At FortisBC, we believe serving the community is a privilege. That’s why we're committed to investing in legacy opportunities in the communities where our project work takes place. For example, in Kamloops we have partnered with Thompson Rivers University on an invasive plant species study in Kenna Cartwright Park. When we’re ready to restore our worksites in the park we’ll restore them with native plants. The results of this study will be publicly available to benefit anyone interested in reducing invasive species in the region.
Some of our other community investment initiatives on this project include contributing to the establishment of the Elkford Meeting Place and improving trails and accessibility for the Cranbrook Community Forest.

Supporting local businesses and workers
We want to maximize the benefit of our projects in the community through the creation of local jobs and training opportunities, fair access to contracts for local and Indigenous suppliers and investment in local businesses.
During the first six months of 2022, the Inland Gas Upgrades project spent $9.1 million with 101 BC-based vendors, 22 of which are Indigenous. This includes $3 million spent locally, within the communities where work took place.
Creating pathways for employment is one of the ways we support local communities and workers. Through our involvement in the Indigenous Intern Leadership Program, we established two internship roles for Indigenous graduates to gain real world experience engaging and building relationships with municipalities and local and First Nations communities. We also partnered with Proactive Safety & First Aid to create a safety officer internship for a member of the Ktunaxa nation in the Kootenay region.
Communities where work will take place
Over the course of the project, work will take place across 18 communities in the Northern, Cariboo, Thompson-Okanagan and Kootenay regions of BC. To see where we are currently working, visit our project Overview tab.
Kootenays
- Castlegar
- Cranbrook
- Elkford
- Kimberley
- Nelson
- Sparwood
- Trail
Thompson-Okanagan
- Armstrong
- Coldstream
- Enderby
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
- Salmon Arm
- Spallumcheen
Cariboo and North
- Mackenzie
- Prince George
- Quesnel
- Williams Lake
Regulatory process
On January 21, 2020, we received approval of our application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from our regulator the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC).
Additional resources
We’ve been engaging with stakeholders, the local community and Indigenous communities to support the project. Materials related to some of these discussions are available below.
- Project information card
- Presentation and video - Kamloops virtual information session - November 2021
- Construction 2021 announcement
- Construction 2022 announcement