Update: On Aug. 31, 2018 the Federal Court of Appeal overturned Ottawa's approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Construction activities are being suspended.

Construction has officially commenced on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion to increase Alberta oil shipments to Burnaby, B.C. for tidewater export.

Crews kicked off right-of-way clearing work in central Alberta last weekend under general construction contractor Midwest Pipelines, Trans Mountain said on Monday.

Construction preparation activities such as surveying, staking the right-of-way, installing signage, and environmental protection measures began in the region, known as Spread 2, earlier this month, the company said. Spread 2 is approximately 290 kilometres of pipeline between Edmonton and Jasper National Park.

Last week Trans Mountain released its final list of construction contractors for the expansion project.

“Work is underway along the entire pipeline route to develop temporary infrastructure sites such as stockpile sites, construction yards and camps,” Trans Mountain said.

“Construction activities will begin in Spread 3 in September 2018 and Spread 4 in November 2018. Spread 3 is approximately 120 kilometres of pipeline between Mt. Robson Provincial Park and Blue River in BC’s North Thompson. Spread 4 is approximately 155 kilometres of pipeline from Blue River to Trans Mountain’s Darfield pump station, north of Kamloops.”

Kinder Morgan Canada shareholders are set to vote on Thursday on Ottawa’s $4.5 billion offer to purchase the project, and the existing pipeline.

A decision is also expected Thursday from the Federal Court of Appeal that could impact the expansion project’s future.