Coastal GasLink employing nearly 1,000 local workers

TC Energy officials say nearly 1,000 workers in the Peace Region are employed on the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

Public Affairs Advisor Heather Desarmia gave the Peace River Regional District an update Oct. 7 on the $6.6-billion pipeline project between the Peace region and Kitimat.

“When we take a look at all of Coastal GasLink’s pipeline construction activity within the Peace region, we’re looking at just shy of 1,000 personnel working on the assets,” said Desarmia.

There were 4,758 workers employed on the project at the end of August, surpassing the worker count of 4,000 last year.

Latest construction milestones include the completion of the Kitimat Meter Station, alongside water crossings completed at the Murray River and Burnt River near Sukunka. Work continues on the Sukunka River water crossing and by the Burnt and Merrick Mountain areas, with 90 kilometres of pipe installed.

Another 30 kilometres of pipe is expected, says Desarmia, while a three-kilometre connector is also being built in Groundbirch, and a compressor station under construction at Wilde Lake.

Desarmia added that safety is a top priority for the project and the company is doing its best to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“The measures we have in place have been reviewed by Northern Health and they do meet all the provincial health officer’s guidance to keep our workers, families, and communities safe,” she said.

tsummer@ahnfsj.ca

Tom Summer, Local Journalism Initiative, Alaska Highway News