Traylor-Aecon General Partnership has been awarded a $288 million contract by Metro Vancouver for the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, Fraser River Crossing project in B.C.
The partnership is a consortium comprised of Aecon (40 per cent) and Traylor Bros Inc. (60 per cent). Aecon Group Inc. announced its share of the contract will be added to its construction segment backlog in the first quarter of 2022.
The scope of work includes the construction of two deep vertical shafts, one on each side of the Fraser River, connected by a 2,350 metre tunnel between New Westminster and Surrey as well as the installation of a watermain, valve chambers and surface piping.
The new water supply tunnel will be excavated deep underground using a tunnel-boring machine (TBM). The TBM will launch from a vertical entry shaft on the Surrey side and progress north under the Fraser River to the vertical exit shaft on the New Westminster side.
Construction is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2022, with anticipated completion in the second quarter of 2027.
“This complex, multi-year project further strengthens our diverse backlog in Western Canada and demonstrates our position as the partner-of-choice in the civil construction market for tunnelling and water infrastructure projects,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and CEO of Aecon, in a statement. “This project will ensure the sustainable, reliable supply of clean drinking water for growing communities. As we continue to execute the Second Narrows Water Supply Tunnel project with Traylor, we are pleased to strengthen our partnership and further our relationship with Metro Vancouver.”
According to Metro Vancouver, the tunnel will be one of five new water supply tunnel crossings in the region built to withstand a major earthquake. Once complete, the new tunnel will be connected to the region’s drinking water system and will help ensure the continued, reliable delivery of clean, safe drinking water in a growing region.
