Public notice

​​Second Narrows Dredging Works​ – Public comments invited 

February 20, 2026 – As part of its Project and Environmental Review process, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority must determine whether the proposed ​Second Narrows Dredging Works​, ​located in​ ​the Burrard Inlet, east of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge​ is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as part of a Fisheries Act Authorization application process, must determine whether the proposed works is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

To help inform this determination and a decision on whether or not to approve the proposed ​project​, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website. In addition, your contact information may be shared with third parties, e.g., the tenant, other relevant agencies, to help respond to your questions and inform possible mitigations. 

Written comments must be submitted by ​March 22, 2026​ to: 

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority 
Project and Environmental Review 
100 The Pointe, 999 Canada Place 
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 3T4  
per@portvancouver.com 

Proposed Project

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (the Applicant) is proposing to conduct works to improve shipping efficiency in Burrard Inlet's Second Narrows waterway, including facilitating the potential for vessels calling at Trans Mountain's Westridge Marine Terminal to more fully load. They include three components: 

• Dredging along the edges of the deep-sea navigation channel with the proposed footprint east of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge 
• Removal of sections of decommissioned waterlines within the proposed dredging areas 
• Installation of new navigation aids (range lights) 

Proposed dredging activities will occur along the northern and southern margins of the navigation channel, over an approximate surface area of 17,000 m2 with a potential dredge volume of approximately 25,000 m3, and achieving a maximum navigation channel depth of -13.5 m chart datum. The dredging footprint overlaps with two Metro Vancouver drinking water pipes that extend across the Second Narrows in a north-south direction and that are in the process of being decommissioned. To enable the proposed dredging, segments of decommissioned waterlines overlapping with the deep-sea navigation channel in the area will need to be removed. 

In parallel to the dredging, and to facilitate the potential for cargo ships moving through the Second Narrows waterway to load more fully, two new range lights will be installed west of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge, on Burrard Inlet's south shore. Range lights provide spatial reference points for cargo ships transiting through confined waters such as the Second Narrows. 

The proposed works are anticipated to start in Q3 of 2026. Dredging could take place within a 24-hour window, seven days per week to facilitate works during optimal tide windows. Works related to the navigation aids will occur during standard construction hours, Monday to Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Additional details on the proposed project can be found here Second Narrows dredging works | Vancouver Fraser Port Authority