Trans Mountain's expansion at the Westridge Marine Terminal includes a new dock complex with three berths, a utility dock to moor tugs, boom boats and emergency response vessels, additional delivery pipelines and an extension of the land along the shoreline to accommodate new equipment.
The new dock complex will increase loading capacity from one Aframax-size tanker to the ability to load up to three Aframax-size tankers. Three new 30-inch delivery lines will be laid in a tunnel from Burnaby Terminal to supply each berth at the Westridge Marine Terminal.
We will be extending the land along the water (foreshore) further into the water to accommodate new equipment and facilities. This will include:
- Dock pipelines and metering equipment
- Emissions management equipment
- Fire-water and foam pumping system
- Stormwater management system
- Electrical equipment and control system
- Space for potential future installation of vessel shore power facilities
- New control building
- Emergency response booms and areas for deployment of emergency response equipment
To offset the alteration of fish habitat due to this work, Trans Mountain will install a rock reef complex across intertidal and subtidal zones of the Westridge Marine Terminal water lot lease. Approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in 2017, the rock reef complex is part of the Fisheries Act Authorization for the Westridge Marine Terminal Expansion. The rock reef complex’s purpose is to provide a variety of habitats to a range of adult and juvenile fish as well as invertebrate species.
Each section of the reef will integrate three habitat types: nursery reefs, integrated reefs and adult reefs. The nursery reefs are intended to provide structural complexity and to serve as protection for juvenile finfish living in the foreshore area. The adult reefs will provide crevice habitat for adult reef fish in deeper waters.
Westridge Marine Terminal Construction
Typical of waterfront construction, most construction will occur from the water using floating equipment such as marine derrick barges, tugs and workboats. Some construction may use land-based equipment working out into the water from shore.
Construction activities will include:
- Site preparation activities to support ongoing operations including modification and relocation of existing infrastructure, fencing upgrades, tree removals and vegetation management primarily inside terminal fence line
- In-water construction including deep water pile driving to accommodate new berths and trestle dock, as well as the foreshore extension for new equipment
- Construction on the foreshore extension including rip-rap removal, installation of circular sheet pile cells, addition of structural fill, soil improvements, installation of foundations and construction of buildings, and installation of safety wall to separate the terminal from existing train tracks; installation of equipment to support loading operations and emergency response enhancements
- Rock reef complex construction on the seafloor using cranes, an excavator bucket and other heavy equipment to place crushed bedding rock, rock mattresses, and reef rock
- Construction on land including replacement of the existing hydro substation, replacement of power line within the terminal, installation of new electrical cables, control systems and pipe
- Tunnel portal construction and tunnel boring, installation of three 30” delivery pipelines within the tunnel
- Decommissioning of the existing dock
- Construction demobilization and site restoration
Construction of Berths 1 and 2 will take place first and are anticipated to be in-service before the construction of Berth 3 is completed. Berth 1 will have the added ability to offload jet fuel as part of maintaining the jet fuel delivery business for the pipeline to Vancouver International Airport (a pipeline not owned by Trans Mountain).
Read more details about the existing infrastructure and the planned additions here.
Dock Layout Selection Process
The Trans Mountain Expansion Project team has worked extensively with the VFPA, the Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) and the BC Coast Pilots (BCCP) to determine a preferred dock layout. We have also incorporated feedback from the City of Burnaby and our community discussions in the planning.
During the evaluation and study process, we considered approximately 20 layouts. The one shown is considered the most optimal based on our objective to develop a layout that would provide:
- Three modern Aframax-capable berths with the highest level of navigational and mooring safety
- Safe navigation room for all other marine traffic in the area.
- Reduced use of anchorages east of the Second Narrows for tankers visiting Westridge
- The ability to keep the existing dock in service during construction of the new dock system
- Compact and optimized overall footprint to minimize impact to community views
- Opportunities to eliminate dredging in order to provide the least impact to the marine environment
- Ways to operate with minimum disturbances, such as noise, to the residents of the neighbourhood
Construction Impacts
Trans Mountain has developed management plans to minimize disruption to neighbours. These plans include Traffic and Access Control Management Plans, Construction Environmental Management Plans and plans to mitigate noise, lighting and emissions. More information about how Trans Mountain will manage construction impacts is available here.
We have developed site specific traffic management plans to minimize disruption to neighbours when vehicles move to and from the Westridge Marine Terminal during construction.
Some measures to reduce impact of truck and construction-related traffic to Westridge Marine Terminal during construction include:
- Construction workers will be bused to the site from a yard off-site
- Equipment required for marine works will be barged to the site
- Only vehicles required for work will be permitted onsite
- Truck traffic will be staged offsite prior to accessing the terminal. Access will be controlled by flag people and trucks will be parked with engines off
- Access to Drummonds Walk will be maintained for pedestrians and bicycles
- Noise barriers (sound walls) will be installed in strategic locations to minimize traffic and construction noise impacts on local residents
- We will continue to seek input from local residents and municipalities about preferences for receiving construction related information, which may include traffic control, changeable message boards and signage
View our Traffic and Access Control Management Plan filed with the Canada Energy Regulator here.
The main hours of construction work at Westridge Marine Terminal are planned between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Friday and between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday. No Project work is planned on Sundays and statutory holidays.
There is no pile driving planned outside of main construction hours, however, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) has allowed for nighttime-welding Monday through Saturday and, if required, other night work will take place at the Terminal. All work will be measured and evaluated so as not to exceed BC Oil and Gas Commission noise guidelines as per the Trans Mountain Noise Management Plan for Construction at Pump Stations and Terminals.
In addition to marine terminal works, construction of the tunnel between Burnaby Terminal and Westridge, as well as other reduced noise activities may occur 24/7.
For detailed construction impacts read the Lower Mainland construction plan.
Management of Construction Impacts
Trans Mountain is mitigating environmental and community impacts from the construction of the Project through a variety of measures including a pile driving noise shroud, birds’ nest sweeps and the rock reef complex.
Here are some examples of measures Trans Mountain and its contractor, the Kiewit Ledcor TMEP Partnership (KLTP), will carry out to reduce or mitigate the impacts of construction at Westridge Marine Terminal:
Noise
Selected mitigation and noise control practices will be effective at limiting noise to the Health Canada recommended levels and desired British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission limits. For example, a noise shroud will cover the impact hammer that drive piles into the ocean floor, dampening the sound of hammer. Trans Mountain is also planning the installation of sound barriers (noise walls) in strategic locations to minimize the impacts of construction noise, including-related traffic to and from the site.
Vibration
In addition to noise mitigation through the use of a noise shroud, the contractor will primarily install the dock and trestle piles using a vibratory piling method reducing the use of an impact hammer as much as possible. Benefits of this approach will reduce noise and vibration on land, as well as reduce the intensity of noise below water and sound pressure emitted to the marine environment.
Lights
Best management practices and mitigation measures will minimize the potential impacts from Project lighting on nearby receptor locations and marine users. For example, Trans Mountain will use directional lighting, as well as properly installed and functioning light fixtures on the construction barge to avoid the use of secondary lighting with higher glare characteristics.
Extensive environmental mitigation measures are planned for Westridge Marine Terminal, as outlined in the Westridge Marine Terminal Environmental Protection Plan (a requirement of CER Condition 81). Here are some environmental protection and mitigation measures:
Fish
Westridge Marine Terminal is in the vicinity of a DFO Rockfish Conservation Area so the rock reef complex is a marine enhancement that will offset the alteration of fish habitat. The 10,400 m2 complex includes 4–5 metre gaps between the square reefs to encourage water circulation and an expanded toe berm reef to provide stability, prevent slumping and form rocky habitats for fish and invertebrates. It will be constructed in a designated area on the west side of the terminal’s water lot.
Birds
Vegetation removal will be initiated outside the BC migratory bird nesting period (March 26 to August 17) as much as possible to reduce the potential for migratory birds nesting in areas where construction is to occur. If removal is initiated during the migratory bird nesting period, a non-intrusive area search for migratory bird nests will be completed as necessary in consultation with a Wildlife Resource Specialist at least seven days prior to construction.
In the event an active nest is found, it will be subject to site-specific mitigation measures (e.g., clearly marked species-specific buffer around the nest or non-intrusive monitoring). The appropriate mitigation measures will be selected by an Environmental Inspector, in consultation with a Wildlife Resource Specialist as described in the Wildlife Species of Concern Encounter and Discovery Contingency Plan which forms part of the Westridge Marine Terminal Environmental Protection Plan (CER Condition 81 filing).
Marine Mammals
Impact pile driving may only commence if no marine mammals — including cetaceans, marine mammal species at risk and harbour seals — are observed within their respective exclusion zones for 30 minutes prior to the start of the activity. If a cetacean or marine mammal species at risk or a harbour seal is observed within its respective exclusion zone, impact pile driving will be temporarily suspended or rescheduled.
Storm Water Management
The contractor will collect all storm water, surface water runoff and wash water generated from construction activities that contains or may contain suspended concrete materials and/or particles and treat the water prior to discharge as required by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. The contractor will use industry-accepted construction practices for placing concrete over water.
Navigation and Navigation Safety of the Terminal Construction Area
The construction work area for Westridge is defined by a floating construction safety boom; which is marked with appropriate navigation lighting and controls. The work area consists of the entire expanded dock area, as well as a temporary working area needed for the terminal’s construction.
Tugs, observation vessels and storage barges are visible. Barges host cranes and pile driving equipment, as well as material storage, offices and other worker amenities.
Large commercial vessels navigating the area will continue to follow the well established vessel movement practices under pilotage. Recreational, tourism, Indigenous and other waterways users are encouraged to take extra caution when nearing the area and to familiarize themselves with safety protocols while on the water, as per the VFPA Port Information Guide and the Canada Marine Act “Collision Regulations.” More information is available here.
Traffic Management During Construction
Trans Mountain has developed plans ensuring construction impacts on traffic are well managed with least-possible impacts to commuters and other road-users. A Traffic and Access Control Management Plan was prepared to meet CER Condition 73. It was developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders and government authorities.
In addition, KLTP, as the Contractor for Westridge Marine Terminal, is required to develop plans for minimizing disruptions.
KLTP has established a 2.6-hectare office/yard on the north side of Barnet Highway to support this work. The main access road into Westridge is Bayview Drive. In order to facilitate Expansion Project construction, Bayview Drive is being widened within the terminal. During this widening project, the primary access to Westridge will be Cliff Avenue with secondary access via Bayview Drive. Once Bayview Drive has been widened, it will once again become the primary access to Westridge and secondary access will shift back to Cliff Avenue. The pedestrian trail crossing at Bayview Drive is being maintained.
Minimizing Worker Traffic
KLTP is reducing overall traffic by bussing the majority of workers to site at shift change and maximizing support for marine expansion at Westridge through Burrard Inlet.
Total average daily traffic associated with Westridge construction (AM and PM) is approximately 10 bus trips, 110 light vehicle trips and 35 transport truck loads. At the peak of construction, there will be approximately 15 total bus trips daily, 140 light vehicle trips and 50 transport truck loads.
Trans Mountain construction activities are planned with an objective to avoid adverse effects on traffic flows. Trans Mountain is requiring noise control measures for construction traffic and restrictions on idling.
