Trans Mountain marks start of pipeline construction

ACHESON, ALTA. – The on-again, off-again Trans Mountain project marked a milestone on Dec 3. With the start of pipeline construction.

Trans Mountain CEO Ian Anderson attended an announcement in Acheson, Alta to mark the event, along with federal minister of natural resources Seamus O’Regan, Alberta minister of energy Sonya Savage and local government representatives.

“Getting shovels in the ground in Alberta and kicking off pipeline construction is a pivotal moment for Trans Mountain,” Anderson said. “We are proud of the project we have designed and the innovative measures we are implementing that demonstrate the kind of rigor and detail that will go into every stage of this project to mitigate risks, respect the rights of those directly affected and operate safely.” 

“Today, we’re marking an important milestone in this pipeline’s construction.  This project is supporting workers and will keep our energy sector strong – in the short, medium, and long term. This is a good day for our sector. It’s a good day for Alberta. It’s a good day for Canada,” O’Regan added.

The event marked pipeline construction in Edmonton, dubbed ‘Spread 1’ which includes approximately 50 kilometres of pipeline running from Trans Mountain’s Edmonton Terminal in Sherwood Park to Acheson, Alberta. SA Energy Group is the general pipeline construction contractor for Spread 1 and has begun pipe transport, stringing and other preparation work before the pipeline is installed.

Re-construction officially began on August 22, 2019 with work underway at the Westridge Marine Terminal, Burnaby Terminal and at pump stations in Alberta including site preparation activities, in-water construction of new shipping berths, foreshore extension work and facility upgrades.

“Today is an exciting step forward for Trans Mountain. It is also a step forward for not only Alberta, but for the economic growth and prosperity for Canada as a whole. Alberta is a world leader in producing energy with the highest environmental, social and governance standards. While completion of the Expansion Project is the one true measure of success, it’s important to celebrate achievements – like this – along the way. Albertans can be assured their government will continue to stand up for our energy industry and get pipelines built,” Savage said.

Construction is expected to begin shortly on Spread 2 near Yellowhead, Alta and crews conclude pre-construction activities in the area, a Trans Mountain release said.

The Trans Mountain project was sold to the federal government for $4.5 billion in 2018 and has faced legal delays, including an upcoming hearing with the Federal Court of Appeal on Dec. 16 where challenges by six Indigenous groups will be heard over whether the federal government pursued a sufficient consultation with them about the project.