FortisBC will work on additional pre-construction activities along Finch Drive starting this week. According to a FortisBC update, crews will return to Finch Drive to carry out pre-construction activities to help further identify existing underground utilities’ locations.
This work is anticipated to last about one week and will include surveying, electronic roadway scanning, and using water pressure (hydrovac) to identify existing underground utilities.
During these activities, single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect along Finch Drive, east of Highway 99. Work will occur between 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and if required, Saturday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Access to residences and businesses will be maintained. There will be increased noise levels during this work.
“We’ve developed a detailed traffic management plan, including traffic control signage and flaggers to keep traffic moving safely. Construction of the new gas pipeline in the area is tentatively planned for 2025,” FortisBC said.
Update on tunnelling progress
Below is the company’s update on its tunnelling project related to the Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project in Squamish.
“As an update on the tunnel component of the project, our contractor is investigating site conditions across from the BC Rail site near Government Road. As a result, tunnelling is paused as our contractor stabilizes the ground ahead of the tunnel boring machine to enable crews to inspect. We have been working closely with our regulators to confirm how we can progress the work in compliance with our regulatory approvals. We are currently approximately 200 metres away from the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary and Wildlife Management Area— approximately the length of two football fields.
“The use of an underground tunnel for this portion of the pipeline work was borne out of local Indigenous community input to protect the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary. A condition of approval by both Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and the BC Environmental Assessment Office is that there will be no surface impacts to the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary. We are currently working with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw to ensure our conditions continue to be met before tunneling resumes.”
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