Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
Construction is getting underway at the British Columbia Institute of Technology on a $48-million project to modernize infrastructure, improve accessibility and create more inviting public spaces at its Burnaby campus.
The South Campus Infrastructure Renewal project is being delivered with PCL Construction serving as construction manager and is expected to be completed by early 2029.
The work will upgrade underground electrical, gas, water, sanitary and stormwater systems while improving landscaping, walkways and connections between buildings.
The project will also create more open public spaces, restore an urban greenway and establish a campus walkway connecting the Tall Timber Student Housing building with the core of the campus.
Other improvements include upgraded wayfinding, bicycle networks and accessibility throughout public areas.
“The South Campus Infrastructure Renewal project is an important investment in the future of BCIT and in the student experience,” BCIT president Jeff Zabudsky said in a statement. “Renewing the infrastructure beneath our campus allows us to reimagine the spaces above it, creating a more accessible and sustainable place to learn and teach.”
The project also includes upgrades to the Student Commons, creating flexible spaces for studying, socializing, events and informal gatherings.
The province is providing $48 million for the infrastructure renewal project.
Work is part of a broader program of investment at BCIT’s Burnaby campus. Other recent projects include the Trades and Technology Complex, which is under construction, and the Tall Timber Student Housing residence, which opened in August 2025.
The infrastructure renewal will help create more reliable, efficient and climate-resilient campus operations while supporting a more accessible and walkable campus.
“Upgrading core infrastructure today sets the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable campus tomorrow,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care and Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “This investment ensures BCIT students have welcoming and accessible spaces to learn and build community, supporting students’ success for years to come.”
