WC146 JanFeb 2026 - Magazine - Page 9
TOP 50 UPDATE
Tunnelling complete for Annacis Water Supply Tunnel
Metro Vanco uver
METRO VANCOUVER has completed the tunnelling phase of the
Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, an infrastructure project that will
increase capacity to deliver 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, Metro Vancouver.
The new 2.3-kilometre-long Annacis Water Supply Tunnel
was excavated approximately 50 metres below the Fraser River
between New Westminster and Surrey, just north of Annacis
Island. A tunnel boring machine launched from a vertical entry
shaft on the south side of the river in Surrey and broke through
a vertical exit shaft on the north side in New Westminster.
Now that the tunnelling phase is complete, the contractor
will begin installing a 2.6-metre-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.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
WATER C AN ADA • JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2026
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