Project Overview - To meet the growing demand for drinking water in the region, Metro Vancouver is planning to construct a major water infrastructure project called the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel deep under the Fraser River, between the City of New Westminster and the City of Surrey.  

The tunnel will be one of five new water supply tunnel crossings in the region built to withstand a major earthquake. Once complete, the tunnel will also increase the capacity of the existing system to meet the long‑term needs of the growing population. 

Construction Activities 

This new water supply tunnel will be excavated deep underground using a TBM. The machine will be launched from a vertical entry shaft on the Surrey side, and it will progress north under the Fraser River to the vertical exit shaft on the New Westminster side. 

Once the tunnel is drilled, a steel water main will be installed inside the new tunnel and connected to underground valve chambers at each shaft site, connecting it to the region’s drinking water system. 

Preparing for Construction 

In order to build the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, crews will be preparing work sites in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood in New Westminster and Bridgeview neighbourhood in north Surrey. Site preparation will include site clearing and grading. The main construction will include site fencing, building entry and exit shafts for the tunnel excavation, and creating temporary surface work areas to support tunnel boring machine maintenance on both sides of the project. Click ca/43 for information on the tender in the tunnelbuilder archive. Visit http://www.metrovancouver.org. 23/21.