Pattullo Gas Line Replacement
Our 20-inch gas line on the original Pattullo Bridge ensured more than 35,000 homes and businesses in New Westminster, Burnaby and Coquitlam received the natural gas they count on every day.
About this project
When the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced it was preparing to replace the Pattullo Bridge, we started to plan how we would continue to maintain gas service for our customers once the existing gas line on the bridge was decommissioned.
Since the Ministry’s design standards wouldn’t permit a gas line on the new bridge, we built six kilometres of new gas line through Burnaby. Work started in November 2021 and was completed in Fall 2022.
As part of the process to select a new route, we assessed a number of factors including how to best minimize potential community and environmental impacts, as well as safety, cost and schedule. We selected the route based on technical investigations, City of Burnaby input and feedback received during engagement with numerous stakeholders and communities.
Our gas line route
The Pattullo Gas Line Replacement Project included the following work:
- Approximately six kilometres of new gas line, between Lougheed Highway and Sperling Avenue, and 16th Avenue and 4th Street
- Construction mainly along Sperling Avenue, Glencarin Drive, Lakefield Drive and 4th Street
- A new underground pressure regulating station at the intersection of 16th Avenue and 4th Street
- A new cycling and walking path along the route, built in partnership with the City of Burnaby
We also decommissioned the existing gas line and associated infrastructure on and around the Pattullo Bridge in New Westminster and Surrey in Summer 2023, in advance of the bridge's demolition.
Project timelines
On June 30, 2021 we received approval of our application and were issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from our regulator the British Columbia Utilities Commission.
Gas line construction started in November 2021 and finished in Fall 2022. Decommissioning our existing gas line and associated infrastructure on and around the Pattullo Bridge took place in 2023.
In July and November 2020, and October 2021 we held virtual information sessions where the community could learn more about the project, get their questions answered and provide feedback.
We estimate this project cost approximately $175 million, which works out to an increase of approximately $6.40 per year for the typical residential customer.
Project publicly announced
We first informed the community that we were looking into options to replace a gas line we have attached to the Pattullo Bridge, ahead of the bridge and our gas line being decommissioned.
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Engagement starts on proposed Burnaby gas line
We began engaging with the community, stakeholders and Indigenous groups on a proposal to build a replacement gas line in Burnaby.
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BCUC approval
Our regulator, the BC Utilities Commission, approved our application for a Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience for the project.
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Gas line construction underway
Gas line construction completed
Existing gas line decommissioned
September 7, 2022
Upcoming Lakefield Drive paving
September 7, 2022
Bringing the new gas line into operation
August 25, 2022
Additional 16th Avenue closures
August 4, 2022
16th Avenue traffic disruptions
August 3, 2022
Paving starting
July 6, 2022
Edmonds Street intersection open
July 1, 2022
Upcoming Lougheed Highway lane closures
June 13, 2022
Highway 1 crossing underway
May 25, 2022
Underground pressure regulating station work underway
May 6, 2022
4th Street work progress
April 8, 2022
Burnaby Lake Sperling Avenue closures starting tomorrow
April 7, 2022
Community pop-up at Robert Burnaby Park
April 5, 2022
Burnaby Lake bike detour
April 1, 2022
Upcoming closures on Sperling Avenue
March 18, 2022
4th Street work update
March 8, 2022
Accessing Burnaby Lake and nearby facilities
February 4, 2022
Trenchless gas line construction about to start
January 26, 2022
Work starts on the Freeway Trail
January 25, 2022
Work starts near Robert Burnaby Park
December 17, 2021
Lakefield Drive full road closure required
December 17, 2021
Work winds down for the holidays, resumes early January
December 8, 2021
Work underway on Lakefield Drive, Sperling Avenue and Glencarin Drive
November 16, 2021
Work starts on Pattullo Gas Line Replacement
November 1, 2021
Early works underway
September 27, 2021
Join us for a virtual information session
June 30, 2021
Project receives BCUC approval
May 7, 2021
Work starting to support project planning
April 20, 2021
Community feedback helps decide new gas line route in Burnaby
December 17, 2020
Regulatory update filed
November 19, 2020
Second route option proposed for Pattullo Gas Line Replacement project
September 21, 2020
Project application filed
July 22, 2020
Work at 17th Ave and Newcombe St
June 19, 2020
Project planning fieldwork begins
June 17, 2020
Virtual information sessions
June 17, 2020
Replacement project for gas line on the Pattullo Bridge
May 6, 2019
Pattullo Gas Line Replacement project kicks off
Who is the contractor that will be doing the construction and installation of the gas line?
Answered on:
Nov 16, 2021
When is construction expected to start and finish?
Answered on:
Nov 15, 2021
What will gas line construction and restoration look like south of Highway 1, on Lakefield Drive and 4th Street?
Answered on:
Nov 4, 2021
What does a pressure regulating station look like and what does it do?
Answered on:
Oct 14, 2021
What are you doing to mitigate construction disruptions such as noise and dust for those who live near the worksites?
Answered on:
Sep 27, 2021
As a contractor and/or vendor, how can I express interest in working on this project?
Answered on:
Sep 27, 2021
Will you maintain access to homes, businesses and facilities along the route during construction?
Answered on:
Nov 27, 2020
At FortisBC, we believe serving the community is a privilege. That’s why we're committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.
Working with local and Indigenous communities
Prior to project approval, we held virtual information sessions in July and November 2020, providing the community with an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions and provide feedback. Once the project was approved, we hosted two more virtual information sessions on October 14 and 19, 2021 to continue our conversation with members of the community and provide them with more opportunities to offer input.
In addition to hosting these six information sessions, we’ve distributed more than 20,000 letters, talked to a broad range of stakeholders and have engaged with 17 Indigenous communities. Feedback from local experts, such as municipalities, environmental specialists and other neighbourhood groups, has also helped shape our project.
We selected our final route based on technical considerations, City of Burnaby input and feedback we received during our community engagement.
Leaving a lasting legacy
It’s important to us to restore the areas where we work to the way they were before, or better. Once the project is complete, we’ll take steps to enhance the natural areas where we worked by removing invasive species such as blackberries, and replanting with local species.
As part of the Pattullo Gas Line Replacement project, we partnered with the City of Burnaby to design and build a new cycling and walking path along the route to provide a lasting local benefit and thank the community for its patience during construction.
Creating local jobs and Indigenous opportunities
We want to maximize the benefits our projects bring to the communities they are happening in through creating local jobs, fair access to contracts for local and Indigenous suppliers, and investing in community organizations. On the Pattullo Gas Line Replacement this included:
- Approximately $32.9 million of project spend going to 78 B.C.-based businesses in 2021.
- 13 Indigenous-owned and -affiliated businesses working on the project, with contracts worth more than a combined $10 million.
Delta-based Tsawwassen Shuttles Inc. is one of the local Indigenous businesses on the project. We spoke to company president and CEO, and Tsawwassen First Nation member Steve Stark about his company, its work on our projects, and working together on business development and employment opportunities for Indigenous communities.
Regulatory process
On June 30, 2021, 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 engaged with stakeholders, the local community and Indigenous communities to support the project. Materials related to these discussions are available below.
- Burnaby Lake parking map (March 2022)
- Construction starting soon announcement (September 2021)
- Project route selection announcement (April 2021)
- Sperling Avenue route option announcement (November 2020)
- Replacement gas line in Burnaby needed announcement (June 2020)
- Project information card
- Presentation - October 2021 virtual information sessions
- Presentation - November 2020 virtual information sessions