Record snowfall in Chilliwack last month managed to delay work on a Fortis BC gas main project on the Vedder Bridge.
That upgrading and pipe relocation work is now slated to get going again on March 13 — about two weeks later than the expected start date of February 28, according to a spokesperson from Fortis BC.
It's part of the Vedder Bridge Replacement Project, so they're apologizing in advance for any inconvenience the work may cause for local residents.
"We do not anticipate any road closures or other traffic disruptions during this phase of the project, but the work will involve moving construction vehicles on and off the construction site," said Fortis BC spokesperson Nicole Bogdanovic.
Motorists have reported anecdotally that the traffic has already been slow as molasses over the bridge, as construction adjacent the bridge has been ongoing.
Fortis BC will be relocating the pipe to the newly constructed bridge sections, and that could slow down the time it takes to cross the bridge at times.
Once the new bridge sections are place, the plan is to connect the upgraded gas line to the existing system at Petawawa and Chilliwack Lake Roads.
"We will also remove the existing four-inch main," Bogdanovic said. "We are expecting this to occur in May; the exact timing will depend on the overall project schedule."
It's going to take some excavation at the site and that will require traffic to be reduced to single-lane, alternating traffic.
The work on the gas main is required as part of City of Chilliwack’s Vedder Bridge Replacement project.
The work by Fortis will be on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fortis is working closely with City of Chilliwack's contractor to coordinate construction efforts at the site.
For more on the Vedder Bridge project, visit chilliwack.com/vedderbridge