Monday, October 20, 2025
Metro Vancouver has finished the tunnelling phase of the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, a major infrastructure project designed to increase capacity for delivering high-quality drinking water to communities south of Fraser River.
The 2.3-kilometre tunnel, excavated roughly 50 metres beneath the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey, was bored using a tunnel boring machine nicknamed Anna, short for Annacis. The machine launched from a vertical shaft in Surrey and broke through a shaft in New Westminster, marking a key milestone in the project.
“Metro Vancouver is always working to ensure the drinking water system is in good condition—from routine repairs and maintenance to constructing new mains and tunnels to accommodate growth, replace aging infrastructure and prepare for a major earthquake,” said Mike Hurley, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors.
Brad West, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Water Committee, added: “The successful excavation of this new water supply tunnel is a huge step toward ensuring residents south of the Fraser River continue to receive drinking water as their communities grow. Investing in these kinds of major projects is an important part of protecting the health and well-being of our region now and into the future.”
With tunnelling complete, contractors will begin installing a 2.6-metre-diameter steel water main inside the tunnel, alongside valve chambers near each shaft for connection to the regional water transmission system. Once construction wraps up, the shaft sites will be restored, including tree replanting in Surrey and a new green space in New Westminster, developed with input from the community, the City and local First Nations.
Construction on the $450-million project began in 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2028. Metro Vancouver supplies drinking water to over three million people—more than half of BC’s population—and the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel is one of several new tunnels being built to meet modern seismic standards, ensuring reliable water delivery in the event of a major earthquake.
The project is featured in Water Canada’s Top 50 Projects report, which highlights the country’s largest water infrastructure initiatives.
Metro Vancouver has a long history of delivering large-scale public infrastructure projects, with more than 300 underway, spanning water and wastewater upgrades, regional park expansions and affordable housing developments.
