Key Vancouver commuter route re-opening to traffic ahead of schedule

A major east-west arterial route in Vancouver that leads to Highway 1 will be opening ahead of schedule.

In early July, the four-lane roadway of East 12^th Avenue between Kingsway and Fraser Street was closed so crews could conduct “an urgent replacement” of a water main.

The municipal government said that the main, which dates back to the early 1900s, was in “critical condition following a series of recent leaks.”

According to the City of Vancouver, underground pipes deteriorate over time due to soil conditions and age. The approximate life span of an underground water main is around 100 years.

The route was not expected to reopen until early September, however, the city has announced that it will reopen on Wednesday afternoon, thanks to early completion of the replacement.

Map depicting the closure of East 12th Avenue between Kingsway and Fraser Street. (City of Vancouver / Google Maps)

A number of upgrades were also made during the replacement.

Improvements include making accessibility and safety upgrades to the sidewalks, reducing the crossing distance at the St. George intersection, and fully repaving the road between Kingsway and Fraser Street.

Originally, the major route was expected to reopen on September 2.