Coquitlam Partial Cable Replacement
We're undertaking a project to replace a 1.3 kilometre section of an existing underground, oil-insulated cable (underground power line) that was installed in the 1970s with a new oil-free line.
What's new?
June 2026
Pre-work, including pruning and removing vegetation along the utility corridor, is expected to resume in August 2026.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027 and take about two years to complete. A more detailed schedule will be shared with neighbours and posted on this webpage before construction begins.
The project is located along an existing utility corridor that runs between Lougheed Highway and Spuraway Avenue in the Ranch Park neighbourhood of Coquitlam.
Coquitlam underground cable replacement project map

Select the project map [JPG, 320 KB] to view it at a larger size.
| Activity | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Project launch | Fall 2020 |
| Engineering and environmental studies | Spring 2021 to summer 2023 |
| Design of new underground power line | Summer 2023 to summer 2025 |
| Complete vegetation clearing | Summer 2026 to winter 2027 |
| Construction start | Spring 2027 |
| Underground road crossings (duct banks) | Spring to winter 2027 |
| Vault installation | Summer to winter 2027 |
| Install new underground line | Fall 2027 to fall 2028 |
| Project in-service | Winter 2028 |
| Remove existing line | Winter 2028 to spring-2029 |
| Site restoration (ongoing) | Fall 2027 to spring 2029 |
| Project completion | Summer 2029 |
As with all major projects, the timeline may change due to unforeseen circumstances.
We're planning to replace 1.3 kilometres of an existing underground oil-filled power line between Spuraway Avenue/Pinnacle Street and the Como Lake Substation at Como Lake Avenue/Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam.
The existing line section will be replaced with a new underground oil-free insulated line. At road intersections, we'll build underground reinforced concrete containers, called 'duct banks', to house the cables.
This section of underground, oil-filled power line that we're replacing is old and leaks have occurred at the cable's joints due to high pressure from the elevation change between the top of the slope at Spuraway Avenue/Pinnacle Street and Como Lake Substation (at Como Lake Avenue/Lougheed Highway) – an elevation change of 170 metres.
We've successfully located and cleaned up past leaks; however, due to the age and accumulated fatigue at this location, we anticipate that more leaks will occur, requiring more costly repairs.
Replacing this section of the power line with a new, oil-free insulated line will ensure it can run efficiently for many more years.
An environmental overview assessment has been completed to identify environmental features overlapping or directly adjacent to the power line alignment. This information has informed the design of the project and the required mitigation and monitoring plan for construction.
Reports and documents
- Project public information session presentation (November 2023) [PDF, 1.9 MB]
- Project map [JPG, 320 KB]
Get in touch
If you'd like to learn more about the project, please contact us at:
Email: projects@bchydro.com
Phone: 604 623 4472
Toll free: 1 866 647 3334