Our 1,150 km Trans Mountain pipeline system stretches from Edmonton, AB to Burnaby, BC through many types of geography from the Prairies to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, through rural farmland, into dense urban areas and alongside community green spaces. Built six decades ago, the Trans Mountain Pipeline and the associated pipeline right-of-way (ROW) has become part of the landscape, and in many places, part of the community.

Required and regulated by the National Energy Board, the pipeline ROW must be free of permanent structures and be well-marked with pipeline markers.  The ROW forms a linear clearing, allowing several communities along the pipeline route to use the corridor as a multi-use recreational space which include parks, community gardens, pathways, golf course, biking and hiking trails. The Trans Mountain ROW has been part of the community for many years allowing a shared space for all to enjoy everyday.  Here are a few examples of how the ROW has become part of the community.

In Burnaby, the Trans Mountain Trail is a popular urban walking and running route that begins at our Burnaby Terminal and connects to the Burnaby Mountain Urban Trail system. A few metres from this trail, a community garden also utilizes the ROW space. In Langley, the pipeline route formed the Linear Corridor, an excellent example of a community walking path and park space connecting neighbourhoods. Moving east into the Fraser Valley, the ROW runs through farmlands, which grow crops and the food we eat everyday.  

The pipeline route also shapes the trail system near Hope. We provided Trails B.C with funds to support the development of the Old Kettle Valley Railway to become part of the Trans Canada Trail, which is now a popular tourist attraction. Year round in Clearwater, in North Thompson Park the ROW is used for dog walking and horseback riding. In winter, throughout the B.C Interior, the ROW provides  snowmobilers access to permitted snowmobile areas, however,  as regulated by the NEB all motorized vehicles require permission from the pipeline company.

In Jasper National Park, the ROW is used as a cross-country ski trail in winter it also traverses a popular off-leash dog park in the Jasper townsite, an area maintained through an in-kind fencing donation we provided for this space.  In Edmonton, AB, the ROW provides a green space and popular walking path connecting residential subdivisions in the Riverbend neighbourhood.

Where the pipeline runs through these shared recreational areas, we work with the community when maintenance is required along the right-of-way to ensure these spaces remain part of the community, while ensuring the safe operation and maintenance of the pipeline. In areas that may be impacted during the construction of the proposed expansion, the ROW will be mitigated and restored so share recreational areas can remain active.