BURNABY, B.C.—After hearing from residents and city officials, FortisBC has selected its preferred route for a proposed gas line in Burnaby.
The proposed line would run along Sperling Avenue, Glencarin Drive, Lakefield Drive and 4th Street in Burnaby, and is required to replace FortisBC’s gas line that is connected to the Pattullo Bridge.
The province is preparing to replace the Pattullo Bridge and its design restrictions do not permit a gas line to be on the new bridge. FortisBC noted the line is a vital part of its gas system, helping deliver energy to more than 35,000 homes and businesses in Burnaby, New Westminster and Coquitlam. This includes approximately 18,000 customers in Burnaby.
“Our engagement with the community has provided important feedback that was incorporated into the project and has resulted in this new preferred route,” said Melanie Kilpatrick, Pattullo gas line replacement project director at FortisBC, in a statement. “Our work with the local community including the City of Burnaby is a great example of the benefits that can be achieved through early and meaningful engagement.”
FortisBC considered two potential routes which it brought to stakeholders, Indigenous groups and the community last year as part of engagement.
FortisBC stated that it selected the Sperling Avenue route based investigations and feedback.
The feedback focused on the limited traffic corridors around Gaglardi Way and Cariboo Road as well as impacts to residents living in these areas from other recent and planned construction projects.
FortisBC is also working with the City of Burnaby to design and build a new cycling and walking path along the proposed gas line route.
“We appreciate working with FortisBC on the proposed gas line route that addresses the city’s previous feedback,” said James Lota, deputy director of engineering at the City of Burnaby. “We look forward to the creation of a new multi-use pathway that the community will be able to enjoy for decades as part of the shift to more sustainable ways of travel.”
The preferred gas line route, if built, would:
- Start near the intersection of Sperling Avenue and Lougheed Highway and finish near the intersection of 16th Avenue and 4th Street.
- Largely follow Sperling Avenue and Glencarin Drive north of Highway 1 and Lakefield Drive and 4th Street south of the highway.
- Include a new underground facility near the intersection of 16th Avenue and 4th Street.
The British Columbia Utilities Commission is expected to make a decision on the route this summer.
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