Traffic headaches expected as gas line upgrades begin in Coquitlam

COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) – You may be faced with some delays if you use Como Lake to get through Coquitlam.

FortisBC is starting the next phase of its gas line replacement today, which could mean gridlock for the many commuters who rely on the route for the next several months.

Como Lake Drive will be partially closed between Porter Street and Blue Mountain Street until April, with the intersection at North Road also impacted.

“I’m expecting gridlock,” Ron, who drives along Como Lake Avenue regularly says. “It’s already bad enough with all the construction… around here. There’s all sorts of construction. I mean even now, with just the prep work.”

The project has already caused months of traffic delays and headaches, as well as business losses, in Burnaby and Vancouver since last summer.

Some owners have said FortisBC failed to follow through on promises to reimburse money lost during gas line upgrades in Vancouver, and have even said they plan to sue the company.

Once complete, the project will see about 20 kilometres of line between Coquitlam and Vancouver replaced, with work expected to wrap up later this year.

Coquitlam mayor hints at legal action if old pipeline isn’t removed

Meantime, Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart says the city will consider taking legal action should Fortis decide not to remove the existing pipeline when it’s done with replacements.

The utility plans to simply fill the old one with concrete and leave it in the ground, something Stewart says is unacceptable.

He says if the B.C. Utilities Commission won’t stand up for his city’s taxpayers, he will.

“Depending on the ruling we’ll have a decision to make. If the B.C. Utilities Commission considers the costs to municipalities and our taxpayers, then they’ll undoubtedly rule in our favour. But if they only consider Fortis’ costs, then we may well have to take the next step, which is to consider the abandoned pipe to be trespassing on our property.”

The city needs the space filled by that pipe for utilities, so Stewart says it’s only fair that Fortis — which installed it — should remove it as it installs a new line.

“I’m no lawyer, I’m here to stand up for our residents. Our residents shouldn’t bear the burden, shouldn’t have to subsidize Fortis’ pipeline.”

Stewart says removing the pipeline could cost $75 million.

“Ultimately, the principle should be that ‘yes you get to use our roads for the time you need to use our roads. But when you’re done, take [the pipeline] with you, and remove the old pipe.”

Road disruptions (Courtesy FortisBC):

Burnaby Cross streets Status Scheduled to start (subject to change)
Springer Avenue Lougheed Highway to Halifax Street Lane closures Late March-early April
Madison Avenue Lougheed Highway to Halifax Street Lane closures March 2019
Lougheed Highway Sperling Avenue to  Bainbridge Avenue Lane closures March 2019
Bainbridge Avenue Lougheed Highway to Broadway Local and emergency access only Spring 2019
Broadway Bainbridge Avenue to Phillips Place Local and emergency access only Spring 2019
Broadway Phillips Place to Underhill Avenue Local and emergency access only April 2019
Broadway and Gaglardi Way Production Way to North Road Lane closures Spring 2019
Coquitlam Cross streets Status Scheduled to start (subject to change)
Como Lake Avenue North Road to Robinson Street Lane closures March 2019
Como Lake Avenue Robinson Street to Blue Mountain Street Lane closures, with westbound traffic restricted to local, emergency and bus access only Summer 2019
Como Lake Avenue Blue Mountain Street to Porter Street Lane closures, with westbound traffic restricted to local, emergency and bus access only March 2019
Como Lake Avenue Porter Street to Linton Street Lane closures, with westbound traffic restricted to local, emergency and bus access only Spring 2019
Como Lake Avenue Linton Street to Baker Drive Lane closures Spring 2019
Como Lake Avenue Baker Drive to Mariner Way Lane closures, with a detour on Spuraway Avenue east of Mariner Way Summer 2019

 

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