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Central Park Water Main – Imperial Section Phase 1

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

 

Central Park Water Main – Imperial Section Phase 1Central Park Water Main – Imperial Section Phase 1<div class="ExternalClass3DB09B22436A4D12A8DDF6953A99EAD5"><p>​​​Metro Vancouver is replacing the Central Park Water Main to help ensure the continued delivery of high-quality drinking water well into the future. This new water main is expected to meet regional growth needs while ensuring seismic resilience. The existing water main was built in the 1930s and is reaching the end of its service life. Construction of the new water main started in 2019 and has been phased over several years due to its length of approximately 12 kilometres spanning across the cities of Burnaby and New Westminster.</p><p>The Imperial Section of the Central Park Water Main is approximately 3.4 kilometres long in total, and runs along Imperial Street between Maywood Street at Telford Avenue, and Griffiths Avenue at Elwell Street.</p><p>Construction of Imperial Section Phase 1 began in January 2025 and is expected to continue for the next two years.​ Phase 2 is expected to start in fall 2026.​​<br></p></div>City of BurnabyProject

 

 

Project updateProject update<div class="ExternalClassEEA0376BD2634C1BAC8CA2B486ABEE02"><div>​Valve chamber construction at the intersection of Imperial Street and Empress Avenue is nearing completion and construction crews are working on pipe installation in the area. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Imperial Street at Empress Avenue Closure (valve chamber construction)</strong><br></div><div>There will be a full road closure on Imperial Street from east of Brantford Ave to west of Sperling Avenue. This closure will be in place starting December 1 through to early 2026. However, two-way traffic will be re-instated for the holiday period from December 24 to January 2, 2026.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Imperial Street at Kingsway Closure (tunnelling under Kingsway)</strong></div><div>There continues to be a full road closure on Imperial Street both east and west of Kingsway. This closure will remain in place through spring 2026. Tunneling work at Imperial Street and Kingsway will be shut down from December 22 to January 5, however the full road closure will remain in place.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Read the <a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-newsletter-2025-11-28.pdf">latest newsletter ​</a>to learn more.​<br></div><div><br></div></div>https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/ConstructionImages/Map%20-%20Full%20Road%20Closure%20on%20Empress%20and%20Imperial%20-%20Traffic%20Impacts%20-%20Central%20Park%20Water%20Main%20-%20Imperial%20Section%20-%20November%2027%202025.jpg, https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/ConstructionImages/Map%20-%20Full%20Road%20Closure%20on%20Empress%20and%20Imperial%20-%20Traffic%20Impacts%20-%20Central%20Park%20Water%20Main%20-%20Imperial%20Section%20-%20November%2027%202025.jpg https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/ConstructionImages/Map%20-%20Full%20Road%20Closure%20on%20Empress%20and%20Imperial%20-%20Traffic%20Impacts%20-%20Central%20Park%20Water%20Main%20-%20Imperial%20Section%20-%20November%2027%202025.jpg11/28/2025 8:00:00 AM

 

 

Map - Project Phases - Central Park Water Main - Imperial Sectionhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/ConstructionImages/_t/map-Project-Phases-Central-Park-Water-Main-Imperial%20Section_png.jpgMap - Project Phases - Central Park Water Main - Imperial Section
Map - Central Park Water Main - Imperial Section Phase 1https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/ConstructionImages/_t/Map-Public-Phase-1-only-Central-Park-Water-Main-Imperial%20Section-Mar2024_jpg.jpgMap - Central Park Water Main - Imperial Section Phase 1

 

 

Project activitiesProject activities<div class="ExternalClassD8027B464D5043E58D96156AC7129307"><p>Activities for the Central Park Water Main – Imperial Section Phase 1 will include:</p><ul><li> <strong>Preparing the work area</strong>: Ahead of major construction activities, Metro Vancouver's contractor will be fencing trees, setting up a site trailer, delivering equipment, installing temporary signage, sampling soil, and identifying existing utility locations.</li><li> <strong>Relocating existing or installing new underground utilities</strong>: In various locations, underground utilities will be relocated or added to accommodate the new water main and valve chambers.</li><li> <strong>Installing the new water main: </strong>The new water main will be installed in segments. This work will involve establishing a work zone that is several blocks in length, two-to-three lanes wide, and fenced for safety; excavating a large trench; installing temporary shoring to secure the excavated area; and installing a steel water main with a diameter of 1.2 metres.</li><li> <strong>Constructing underground valve chambers:</strong> Two valve chambers, one at Palm Avenue and one at Empress Avenue, will be built along the water main. This work will include excavating a deep pit, approximately 10 metres wide and 16 metres long. Each valve chamber will take approximately 6 months to construct.</li><li> <strong>Cleaning and testing of the new water main: </strong>The new pipe will be pressure tested, disinfected, and flushed before coming into service.</li><li> <strong>Connecting the new water main and valve chambers: </strong>Towards the end of the project, the new infrastructure will be connected to the existing water distribution system.</li><li> <strong>Restoring the area: </strong>Once construction is complete, all impacted areas will be permanently paved and restored.​<br></li></ul></div>
Work hoursWork hours<div class="ExternalClassBE040113446041EFBFE2306B455998FE"><p>Typical hours of work for this project will be:</p><ul><li>Monday to Friday: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm<br></li><li>No work on weekends and holidays​<br></li></ul><p>All work will comply with City of Burnaby bylaws or granted bylaw variances. There may be times when crews will need to work longer hours or on weekends to complete critical activities safely and efficiently. Metro Vancouver will notify the community about these activities in advance.<br></p></div>
Impacts and mitigationImpacts and mitigation<div class="ExternalClassF24E52BB99E44446A322027976D56B87"><p style="margin-bottom:15px;"></p><p>Metro Vancouver recognizes the construction of Central Park Water Main – Imperial Section Phase 1 will impact local residents and businesses. This essential water main project will result in noise and vibration, partial and full road closures, access, and traffic impacts.<br></p><p>As part of our commitment to minimize project impacts, we have been working with the City of Burnaby and local residents and businesses to identify impacts early in the process and undertake measures to mitigate them. We have developed a Public Impact Mitigation Strategy that includes information received from the community through an online survey and a virtual open house in 2022. <br></p><p>Wherever possible, the contractor will:<br></p><p><strong>Maintain access for local residents and businesses </strong></p><p>We will maintain access to homes and businesses whenever possible. However, construction may temporarily restrict access to residential and business driveways and parking areas. If anyone in your home has mobility restrictions or any other concerns, please contact the project's community liaison at 604-432-6200 to discuss alternate options for parking and access, and to explore possible solutions to mitigate impacts.​<br></p><p><strong>Reduce noise and vibration</strong></p><ul><li>Implement the Noise and Vibration Strategy </li><li>Schedule work that requires noisy or high-vibration equipment, such as hydro vacuum trucks, saw cutters, vibratory compactors, and excavators, to take place after 8:00 am and before 6:00 pm</li><li>Minimize nuisance noise such as offloading equipment, operating back-up beepers, and idling or warming up heavy equipment unnecessarily and outside of allowable hours</li><li>Cover noisy equipment and use sound barriers </li><li>Monitor noise periodically to ensure the work is compliant with the City of Burnaby bylaws and granted bylaw variances<br></li></ul><p><strong>Keep people moving safely and efficiently</strong></p><ul><li>Implement a Traffic Management Plan</li><li>Place fencing, signage, and traffic control personnel around the construction areas to ensure people can safely move around them</li><li>Maintain at least one driveway for homes and businesses throughout construction; however, drivers may experience delays in accessing driveways when active construction is taking place outside a home or a business</li><li>Maintain access to school drop-off and pick-up zones</li><li>Ensure emergency services have access to properties at all times</li><li>Ensure sidewalks, pedestrian paths, and bike routes remain accessible or have detour options<br></li></ul><p><strong>Manage site cleanliness</strong></p><ul><li>Keep the work site in a tidy condition and ensure that impacted roads are cleaned and swept regularly</li><li>Have appropriate equipment readily available for dust, mud, and accidental material spillage control<br></li></ul></div>
EngagementEngagement<div class="ExternalClass32ADE64A4C2C4AD5A48553B46971DB4D"><p>At Metro Vancouver we make decisions that impact nearly 3 million residents that live in our region. Metro Vancouver engages municipalities, businesses and the general public whenever we are working on a new program, policy, or project across our service areas. Learn more about our <a href="/about-us/community-engagement" target="_blank">engagement principles</a>.</p><p> <strong>2022 public comment period</strong></p><p>Metro Vancouver conducted a public comment period for the Central Park Water Main – Imperial Section from July 21 to September 14, 2022. The purpose of the engagement was to hear from local residents and businesses how we can minimize impacts on the community during construction.</p><p>As part of our engagement phase, we:</p><ul><li>Conducted an online survey and received 217 responses</li><li>Held a virtual open house on September 8 and seven people attended the event<br></li></ul><div><p> <strong>Working with the community</strong><br></p><p>Metro Vancouver is committed to working closely with the community and the City of Burnaby to ensure concerns and interests are considered as the project progresses. <br></p><p>We will notify the community in advance of traffic impacts, temporary driveway or parking closures, and detour routes. Local residents and businesses can expect to receive ongoing notifications through signage and print materials. You can subscribe to our mailing list to receive regular updates via email by selecting the project name in <a href="/services/water/water-engagement-mailing-list" target="_blank">our water projects sign-up page</a>.​<br></p><p>We also have a dedicated community liaison available throughout the project to address any questions or comments you may have. <br></p></div></div>
What we heardWhat we heard<div class="ExternalClass859FF45174D9460991384E0C194E9D3C"><p>Metro Vancouver received input on the Central Park Water Main - Imperial Section Phase 1 through a community open house, conversations and email communications with residents, businesses and schools, and from survey responses. The table below summarizes the common themes we heard and how we are addressing this feedback.</p><p>We will continue to respond to new input as the project progresses. Thank you to everyone who has engaged with us on this project.​<br></p><table class="uk-table uk-table-small uk-table-divider mv-border-cyan mv-table-heading-cyan mv-table-border uk-table-striped"><thead><tr><th>What we heard</th><th>​​What we’re doing</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p>Request to keep parents and teachers at Windsor Elementary School informed about the project</p></td><td><p>We sent a newsletter to Windsor Elementary School parents and teachers to keep the school community informed about how school drop-off and pickup would be impacted by construction. Our community liaison remains in regular contact with school administration.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Request to support the traffic pattern change for parent drop-off and pickup at Windsor Elementary School</p></td><td><p>We added additional traffic control personnel during the first weeks of the new road closure in front of Windsor Elementary School. We remain in regular contact with school administrators regarding the location of the school’s crossing guard and overall safety of the children.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Concern for children crossing or playing near Windsor Elementary School</p></td><td><p>The project team installed Metro Vancouver mesh barriers in front of Windsor Elementary School to keep children away from the work zone. The team also installed a protected crossing area and traffic control person at each end of the work zone to manage pedestrian and vehicle traffic at site entrances.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Request for communication about road closures, loss of parking and driveway access, and the project</p></td><td><p>We provide advance notice of construction activities and impacts via mail, email, web, and social media updates. Notifications include the location and duration of work, work hours, and anticipated impacts, including road closures.</p><p>The community liaison will visit affected homes before each new road closure to learn about special circumstances, such as medical needs or physical limitations, requiring special assistance. A notice will be placed at an affected residence or business 24 hours in advance of the road closure. </p><p>We also add additional signage around the work zone.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Concern that there is not enough detour signage around closures</p></td><td><p>We raised the height of some signs and added visual signs with icons and symbols for non-English speaking residents in the area.</p><p>We installed signage along the route for impacted sidewalks and crosswalks. The contractor commits to having at least one sidewalk in each work zone open.</p></td></tr><tr><td>​ <p>Concern about noise</p></td><td>​​​ <p>The contractor commits to starting noisy construction activities after 9:00 am. We also installed sound barriers around generators, and pointed generators away from homes and towards the work zone.​<br></p></td></tr></tbody></table>​<br></div>
Project materialsProject materials<div class="ExternalClassF9F2ED0AEB8548858DA69AD7C329CF9A"><ul class="fa-ul"><li>​​<span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span><a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-september-2024.pdf" title="Fact Sheet - Central Park Water Main - Imperial Section">Fact Sheet - Central Park Water Main - Imperial Section</a>​​​<br></li></ul><p> <strong>Engagement​​</strong></p><ul class="fa-ul"><li>​​​<span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span> ​<a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-engagement-summary-july-2025.pdf" title="Engagement Summary">Engagement Summary</a>​​</li><li>​​​<span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span> ​<a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-phase-1-display-panels.pdf" title="2025 – Community Open House Display Panels">2025 – Community Open House Display Panels​</a>​​</li><li>​​​<span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-video"></i>​</span><a href="https://vimeo.com/748108266/7ab800656b" target="_blank">Open House Presentat​ion</a></li><li>​​​<span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span><a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/feedback-highlights-central-park-water-main-imperial-section.pdf" title="Feedback Highlights">Feedback Highlights</a><br></li></ul><p> <strong>Newsletters</strong></p><ul class="fa-ul"><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-newsletter-2025-11-28.pdf">2025 – November 28 – Full Road Closure on Imperial Street and Empress Avenue and Holiday Schedule</a>​​</li><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/newsletter-tunnelling-under-kingsway-begins-central-park-water-main-imperial-section-2025-09-29.pdf">2025 - September 29 - Project Update</a>​​</li><li> <span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span>​ <a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-brantford-elementary-school-newsletter-august-2025.pdf" title="2025 – August 25 – Brantford Elementary School Project​ Update">​2025 – August 25 – Brantford Elementary School Project​ Update</a>​</li><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span><a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-newsletter-august-2025.pdf" title="2025 – August 18 – Project Update">2025 – August 18​ – Project ​Update</a>​</li><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span><a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-newsletter-july-2025.pdf" title="2025 – June 30 – Project Update">2025 – June 30 – Project Update</a>​</li><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span><a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-newsletter-2025-05-06.pdf" title="2025 – May 6 – Project Update">2025 – May 6 – Project Update</a>​</li><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span><a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-windsor-school-newsletter-may-2025.pdf" title="2025 – May 5 – Windsor Elementary School Project Update">2025 – May 5 – Windsor Elementary School Project Update</a></li><li>​ <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span><a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-newsletter-2025-03-05.pdf" title="2025 – March 5 – Project Update">2025 – March 5 – Project Update​</a>​</li><li> ​<span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>​</span>​​<a href="/services/water/ConstructionDocuments/central-park-water-main-imperial-section-newsletter-2025-01-09.pdf" title="2025 – January 9 – Mobilization">2025 – January 9 – Mobilization​</a>​</li></ul>​<br></div>

 

 

2020 – 20232020 – 2023<div class="ExternalClassF34D57A500304886B59077F7F1193ECE">Design</div>0
Early 2025 – Fall 2026Early 2025 – Fall 2026<div class="ExternalClassB67B03296A654B49897C62F2138570A0">Phase 1 construction<br></div>1

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