In 2021, Trans Mountain will begin work on the Fraser River horizontal directional drill (HDD). This HDD is a critical part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, requiring a temporary workspace and pullback area within Metro Vancouver’s Colony Farm Regional Park (CFRP), located in the City of Coquitlam.
The HDD construction method for crossings like the Fraser River minimizes environmental impacts to the river and nearby shorelines. These trenchless construction methods allow for underground crossings that minimize disturbance to highways, railways and environmentally-sensitive areas. Each trenchless method has individual advantages, depending on factors such as soil condition and length of crossing. Trans Mountain has carried out engineering feasibility assessments to determine the most suitable trenchless crossing techniques based on sub-surface conditions at each specific location along the pipeline route where trenchless crossing methods are used.
In order to execute the Fraser River HDD, Trans Mountain’s contractor requires temporary workspace for staging pipe, to weld and to coat the drag section for the new pipe that will be pulled under the Fraser River. Best industry practice requires a pipe staging area equivalent to the river width.