Metro Vancouver completes tunnelling under Fraser River for Annacis Water Supply Tunnel project

Metro Vancouver has completed the tunnelling phase of the AnnacisWater Supply Tunnel, marking a major milestone in one of the region’s largest water infrastructure projects. The new 2.3-kilometre tunnel, excavated 50 metres beneath the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey, will expand capacity to deliver high-quality drinking water to communities south of the river.

A tunnel boring machine (TBM) nicknamed “Anna” (short for Annacis) launched from a vertical shaft on Grace Road in Surrey and successfully broke through the exit shaft on 11th Street in New Westminster. The completion of tunnelling represents a key technical achievement for a project that began construction in 2022.

Metro Vancouver Board Chair Mike Hurley said the project forms part of the region’s long-term program to keep the water system in top condition—combining maintenance, infrastructure renewal, and seismic preparedness. “These projects happen out of sight but are critical to ensuring that everyone in the region continues to receive the high-quality water they expect when turning on their taps,” Hurley stated.

Brad West, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Water Committee, described the successful excavation as “a huge step toward ensuring residents south of the Fraser River continue to receive drinking water as their communities grow,” adding that investments of this scale are vital for public health and long-term resilience.

With tunnelling complete, the contractor will now begin installing a 2.6-metre-diameter steel water main inside the tunnel. Simultaneously, valve chambers will be built at both shaft sites to connect the new line into the regional water transmission system.

Upon completion, Metro Vancouver will restore the shaft areas: replanting trees in Surrey and creating a new green space in New Westminster, in consultation with local governments, First Nations, and nearby communities.

The Annacis Water Supply Tunnel has a construction budget of $450 million and is expected to be fully completed by 2028. It is one of several new regional tunnels designed to meet current seismic standards, ensuring the system can withstand a major earthquake.

Metro Vancouver supplies drinking water to over three million people, more than half of British Columbia’s population, and is currently managing over 300 large infrastructure projects, including upgrades to water and wastewater systems, regional parks, and affordable rental housing developments. The agency also recently achieved substantial completion of the Second Narrows Water Supply Tunnel, another major crossing between Burnaby and New Westminster.