The British Columbia Utilities Commission has approved FortisBC’s application for a new gas line that will run north and south and near Burnaby Lake.
BCUC approved a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the gas line, which is part of the Pattullo gas line replacement project. Following this decision, FortisBC expects to start construction later this year and finish by the end of 2022. Decommissioning the existing gas line and associated infrastructure on and around the Pattullo Bridge is expected to take place in 2023.
The approved project includes:
- Installing approximately six kilometres of new gas line, between Lougheed Highway and Sperling Avenue, and 16th Avenue and 4th Street. Construction will mainly be along Sperling Avenue, Glencarin Drive, Lakefield Drive and 4th Street.
- Building a new underground pressure regulating station at the intersection of 16th Avenue and 4th Street.
- Building a new cycling and walking path along the proposed gas line route, in partnership with the City of Burnaby.
- Decommissioning the existing gas line and associated infrastructure on and around the Pattullo Bridge in New Westminster and Surrey.
“This project will ensure we can continue to supply natural gas safely and reliably to more than 35,000 homes and businesses in Burnaby, Coquitlam and New Westminster, once the gas line currently attached to the Pattullo Bridge is decommissioned,” said a FortisBC news release. “The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is preparing to replace the Pattullo Bridge and their design standards do not allow us to put a replacement gas line on the new bridge.”
Burnaby council previously rejected a different proposed gas line route that would have run east and west before turning north.
For the project updates, local residents can visit talkingenergy.ca/pattullogasline. You can also call 604-576-7208 or [email protected].
