Road closures in effect: FortisBC starts work on new 4-km Vancouver gas line

FortisBChas begun work on new natural gas lines in Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam, which will affecttraffic along one of Vancouver's main arteries.

The project, which involves a total of 20kilometres of new gas line construction,will mean lane closures along the roadway, which is a main artery inand out of Vancouver.

Grace Pickellwho speaks for FortisBC says the new line mustbe put in becausethe current line, running from Vancouver to Coquitlam, has been in use since the 1950s.

"We did look at options, but we ended up deciding to go with East 1st Avenuebecause it actually has the right amount of space for us to be able to get the work done safely," she said.

Starting Monday, there will be multiple lane closures around the project:

East 1st Avenue

• Lane closures from Nanaimo Street to Rupert Street, May 28 to end of July 2018.
• Lane closures from Highway 1 overpass to Boundary Road, May 28 to mid-June 2018.
• Lane closures from Rupert Street to Highway 1 overpass, Mid-July to end of August 2018.
• Full closure of Woodland Drive from East 1st Ave to East 2nd Ave, June 26 to mid-August 2018.
• Full closure from Clark Drive to Nanaimo Street in Vancouver, from July 3 to end of August 2018.

Burnaby

• Lane closures on Gilmore Avenue from Graveley Street to 1st Ave from May 24 to mid-June 2018
• Lane closure on Douglas Road, south of Carleton Ave from May 24 to end of June 2018

Businesses along where the work is happening will remain open, but owners likeArtem Voropaev are worried all the work will result in a loss of business.

"I have to hope for the best, hopefully I don't lose too many customers," said Voropaev who owns Pacifc Laptop.

FortisBCis asking for patience during the disruption, but is asking commuters and residents to be prepared for delays and to plan alternate routes.

Road updates will be posted on its website.

Watch this video from FortisBCexplaining the project.

With files from Jon Hernandez.