This letter from Trans Mountain was originally published as an op-ed in several local papers in the Yellowhead region during the month of May.

Trans Mountain has been operating in Alberta for 70 years. The original pipeline was built in 1953 and has been operating safely ever since. Since 2019, we’ve been building the Trans Mountain Expansion Project in Alberta and are proud to be completing construction in the Yellowhead region as part of this legacy Project for all Canadians. 

Thank you for hosting our workforce and for your patience during construction.  

Two hundred and eighty-five kilometres of pipeline construction is now complete in Yellowhead County from Spruce Grove to Hinton, including the expansion of four pump stations and 16 major trenchless crossings in this region.

While pipeline construction is complete in Alberta, teams will return throughout 2023 to finish right-of-way cleanup and reclamation.  

During construction, Trans Mountain and its general construction contractors, Midwest Pipelines and Cord Construction, have aimed to be good neighbours. When planning the Expansion Project, Trans Mountain made a commitment to work with communities to minimize construction impacts, while maximizing local benefits.

Trans Mountain values the relationships it has built with communities along the pipeline corridor over its 70-year history. During construction of the Expansion Project, we’ve given back to the region by funding various projects, local education and training opportunities, investing more than $1.4 million into communities such as Edson, Hinton, Parkland County, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Wabamun and Yellowhead County.

Trans Mountain and Parkland County signed a Community Benefit Agreement that saw a $225,000 investment in the Entwistle Community Hub Project, a facility offering various indoor and outdoor amenities, including a new pool and library.

Trans Mountain and Yellowhead County signed a Community Benefit Agreement that saw a $140,000 investment into the Hamlet of Robb pump track.

Trans Mountain and the City of Spruce Grove signed a Community Benefit Agreement for a $200,000 investment towards the opening of the new Jubilee Park Boardwalk Trail.

Trans Mountain has several offices and pump stations in Alberta, including Sherwood Park, Edson, Hinton and Jasper. With a number of other operating facilities in the region, many of our team members work and live in the community. On top of local benefits, Trans Mountain will pay nearly $4 million annually in local taxes after the Expansion Project is completed.  

While our presence will be smaller with pipeline construction now complete, we look forward to staying good neighbours in the community and maintaining our positive relationship well into the future.