Water main projects raise rat running concerns for Coquitlam council

In the long-term, it will mean critical infrastructure that will meet the region’s need for drinking water. In the short term, it could mean road closures, dangerous intersections, and some disgruntled drivers.

Several Coquitlam city councillors voiced concern about Metro Vancouver’s overlapping plan to build two new water mains at Dewdney Trunk and Cape Horn, with Mayor Richard Stewart recounting a recent cycling trip down Pipeline Road.

“I encountered lots of flaggers. They didn’t encounter me because their hands were on their phones. I’d say two-thirds of them,” he said.

Stewart beseeched Metro Vancouver to work with their contractor to minimize rat-running while also acknowledge the importance of the infrastructure.

“We recognize and embrace the reality of being pretty much in the centre of gravity of Greater Vancouver,” Stewart said.

Flaggers should be directing drivers during and after rush hour, Coun. Craig Hodge said.

During a discussion about whether the larger pipe size was necessary, Hodge said: “My personal preference is: let’s just do this once.”

With one year of construction scheduled to start this fall, the Dewdney Trunk main is about 1.6 kilometres long and 0.9 metres in diameter. Running along Dewdney between Lougheed Highway and Pier Drive, the new infrastructure will replace an approximately 75-year-old main.

Part of the bigger Coquitlam water main project, the Cape Horn main is four kilometres long with a diameter of 2.2 metres, with the approximately four-yea project getting underway in the spring of 2026.

Reading the report, Coun. Dennis Marsden said he thought of four words: “Logistics nightmare,” and “rat running.”

To facilitate a major excavation and the installation of shoring as well as a new tunnel, the project involves the temporary removal of a Lougheed Highway multi-use path. The project will also constrict traffic on Dewdney Trunk between Hosmer Court and Irvine Street as well as a closure on Chilko Drive.

Marsden asked for accountability throughout the project.

“I don’t want to see this become a meme on social media,” Marsden said.

The projects should be staggered, contended Coun. Brent Asmundson.

“I’m concerned about the Dewdney and the Lougheed going at the same time,” he said. “I would like personally to see them split up.”

The closure of the Chilko Drive intersection will likely push more cars onto Lougheed, he said, noting that reducing travel lanes on Dewdney will also have a major impact on drivers.

Moving forward, Coun. Matt Djonlic was adamant that Metro keep a close watch on their contractors.

“Out staff have had to be on top of Metro and the contractor to adjust, rather than Metro being on top of the contractor to respond to things,” he said.

The Coquitlam Water Main project has a $1.33 billion budget.

Approximately 63 trees are set to be chopped down to make way for the project. The trees are set to be replaced at a two-to-one ratio.

Detour: Beginning Aug. 5, the section of Robson Drive west of Pipeline and east of Kenney Street will be closed as part of the water main project. The closure is scheduled to last until November.