COQUITLAM, B.C., June 24, 2026 – Road and utility construction in the summer often leads to frustrating traffic impacts, so the City works to reduce these impacts wherever possible while critical infrastructure is upgraded and maintained.  

Residents can stay informed about upcoming road work by signing up for traffic alerts via email, text message and by following the City on social media.   

Why It Happens in the Summer

Like most municipalities, road paving, sidewalks and other transportation construction takes place during warmer, drier months, when site and weather conditions are the best for asphalt paving and concrete work. 

This work ensures that infrastructure can continue to safely accommodate the needs of a growing community. 

Along with roads, many underground utilities are located under major routes in Coquitlam, and these utilities also need regular maintenance, upgrades and replacements — including water, sanitary, drainage and more. Road repaving following this work is necessary to restore the asphalt surface, and this also ideally happens in the summer. 

Learn more about ongoing projects this summer at coquitlam.ca/TrafficHotSpots and visit the Road Work and Construction Frequently Asked Questions.

Working to Reduce Traffic Impacts

The City takes various measures to reduce the traffic disruptions that road work and other construction can create for residents. 

• Short-term full road closures help to get the construction work done as soon as possible. 
• Night-time or off-peak hours work on major routes help avoid or reduce congestion. Nearby residents are notified if nighttime work will be taking place in their area, and potential noise impacts are considered and managed.
• Major work near schools is scheduled in July and August, as traffic and pedestrian volumes are lower in those areas at that time.

The City also works closely with developers, contractors, and other third parties such as BC Hydro, Fortis BC and Metro Vancouver to ensure adherence to bylaws and to mitigate impacts to residents. Timing is coordinated with other projects like water, sewer and drainage replacements to reduce the number of times a road is under construction.

Navigating Construction Zones Safely

All road users are encouraged to travel safely and responsibly in construction zones.

• Plan extra time or use alternate routes to avoid delays. 
• Follow posted speed limits, stay alert, avoid distractions, and remember that anticipated start and end dates may change due to weather or other delays.
• Obey flaggers or traffic controllers.

Manage your Commute and Stay Informed

There are a number of ways to keep up to date on traffic impacts this summer:

• Check traffic hotspots, or areas impacted by construction or road work, regularly on the City’s website at coquitlam.ca/TrafficHotSpots.
• Sign up for direct emails at coquitlam.ca/NotifyMe (scroll to bottom of the page and select Road Work and Construction News Flash.)
• Follow the City’s social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.
• Subscribe to the Coquitlam Current biweekly e-newsletter. 

Media contact:
Chad Braley
Senior Manager, Design and Construction

Doug McLeod
Director, Transportation

604-927-4303
epw@coquitlam.ca

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.