Expansion Project pipe is on the ground in Alberta and will be in the ground before Christmas. Today, Trans Mountain’s CEO Ian Anderson was joined by Hon. Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Canada, Hon. Sonya Savage, Minister of Energy, Government of Alberta and local government representatives in Acheson, Alberta for an event to mark the start of pipeline construction for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

“Getting shovels in the ground in Alberta and kicking off pipeline construction is a pivotal moment for Trans Mountain,” said Ian Anderson, President and CEO of Trans Mountain. “We are proud of the Project we have designed and the innovative measures we are implementing that demonstrate the kind of rigour 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,” said Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. “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.”

“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,” said Sonya Savage, Alberta’s Minister of Energy. “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.”

Today’s event kicks off pipeline construction in Greater Edmonton (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, the general pipeline construction contractor for Spread 1, has begun pipe transport, stringing and other preparation work that is necessary before pipeline installation.

Trans Mountain officially re-started construction on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project on August 22, 2019, with work underway at the Westridge Marine Terminal, Burnaby Terminal and at pump stations in Alberta. The work includes site preparation activities, in-water construction of new shipping berths, foreshore extension work and facility upgrades. Construction is expected to begin shortly in Spread 2 (Yellowhead), as crews are finishing up pre-construction activities and environmental surveys in that area.

As of October 31, 2019, close to six million person hours have been spent on the Project. Trans Mountain has received more than half of the pipe needed for construction and are staging it at storage yards along the route. As of September 30, 2019, Trans Mountain and our contractors have hired more than 2,200 people for the Project, including Indigenous, local and regional employees. This workforce includes heavy equipment operators, trades people, environment and safety compliance roles, engineers, construction managers and administration staff.

For more information on the activities currently taking place, please see Trans Mountain’s Construction Summary Forecast Schedule that was filed with the Canada Energy Regulator on December 2, 2019: https://apps.cer-rec.gc.ca/REGDOCS/Item/View/3893420.