Metro Vancouver has completed the tunnelling phase of the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, a critical infrastructure project that will increase capacity to deliver high-quality drinking water to growing communities south of the Fraser River.
“Metro Vancouver is always working to ensure the drinking water system is in good condition — from routine repairs and maintenance to constructing new mains and tunnels to accommodate growth, replace aging infrastructure, and prepare for a major earthquake,” said Mike Hurley, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors. “These projects happen out of sight but are critical to ensuring that everyone in the region continues to receive the high-quality water they expect when turning on their taps.”
The new 2.3km Annacis Water Supply Tunnel was excavated approximately 50m below the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey, just north of Annacis Island. A tunnel boring machine, nicknamed Anna (short for Annacis), launched from a vertical entry shaft on the south side of the river at a site on Grace Road in Surrey and broke through a vertical exit shaft on the north side at 11th Street in New Westminster.
“The successful excavation of this new water supply tunnel is a huge step toward ensuring residents south of the Fraser River continue to receive drinking water as their communities grow,” said Brad West, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Water Committee. “Investing in these kinds of major projects is an important part of protecting the health and well-being of our region now and into the future.”
Now that the tunnelling phase is complete, the contractor will begin installing a 2.6m diameter steel water main inside the new tunnel. At the same time, valve chambers will be constructed near each shaft so that the new water main can be connected to the regional water transmission system.
Once construction is complete, Metro Vancouver will restore both shaft sites. This will include replanting trees in Surrey and creating a new green space in New Westminster, with input from the community, the City, and local First Nations.
Construction on the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel began in 2022, and the project is expected to be completed in 2028. The project budget for construction is $450 million.
