Pipeline protesters were trying to delay prep work until when nesting migratory birds returned to the area

Anti-pipeline demonstrators are meeting at the mountain again today, and plan on coming back next week

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – Workers for the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion say they’ve finished up prep work at both the Westridge Marine and Burnaby Mountain terminals — and they’ve done it ahead of schedule.

That might throw a wrench in the plans for protesters, who were hoping to delay the work until March 26th, which is when nesting migratory birds return to the area, and shut off the construction window until August.

However, Ali Hounsell with Kinder Morgan says they finished selective tree and brush removal on Friday. “We are pleased to be able to have finished the tree-clearing work that we were hoping to get done on schedule, and within that window that we outlined and why we needed to do it at that time.”

Preparatory work, including selective removal of brush & trees, is now complete at Westridge Marine Terminal & Burnaby Terminal. Crews will remain on site to complete clean up related to this work, including removal of salvageable timber & waste wood. #TransMountain #KinderMorgan — Trans Mountain (@TransMtn) March 23, 2018

She says this work accommodates future construction work and activity, including the building of the Burnaby Mountain tunnel as well as an expanded fence line at that facility.

According to Hounsell, work continued despite ongoing demonstrations. “It took perhaps a little bit longer than we expected, but it’s done on schedule and wrapped up.”

Protesters have vowed to be back to speak out against the pipeline expansion, but Hounsell says it’s business as usual for those working at the terminals.

“We began work on the Trans Mountain expansion project primarily at our Westridge Marine terminal back at the end of September of last year, so work there has been on-going,” she says. “We will definitely be at both those terminals continuing work, and we have to remember those are also our operating facilities as well. So the Trans Mountain pipeline that’s been operating since 1953 operates out of both of those facilities and our marine terminal.”

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Hounsell says Trans Mountain supports the “right to peaceful, lawful expressions of opinion,” and says the company welcomes it. “It’s unfortunate that it’s sort of come to what it has in the last couple of weeks, but our number one priority is to make sure we complete the work and carry on our operations unobstructed, and safely. For the neighbours, for the community, for our workers, and for everyone involved.”

A large crowd of demonstrators has gathered at the mountain today, and plan on coming back next week. Protesters have cited a number of concerns about the pipeline expansion, including the impact it could have on the environment and surrounding communities.

Dozens of people, including two MPs, have been arrested so far for violating an injunction, which requires protesters to stay at least five metres away from Kinder Morgan’s sites.