By Andru McCracken

Kinder Morgan, the American company which owns the trans mountain pipeline between Vancouver and Edmonton, held an open house at the Valemount Community Hall last Tuesday to discuss the Anchor Loop project.

Project Manager Bill Nooyen said that the purpose of the event was to answer questions that locals might have had about the twinning of the pipeline between Jackman Hill and Hinton. He said that many of the people who came were interested in potential job opportunities and the potential spin off for local businesses.

He said that some people were concerned about a proposed upgrade called TMX 2, which would loop the pipeline between Jackman Hill and Kamloops.

“That project is years away and open to debate,” he said. “There is still not enough to continue on with that project.”

Unlike the current project, TMX 2 would affect many private landowners.

Nooyen said that there are still a few hurdles to clear before the current project can begin, including paper work from the Department of Fisheries and a park use permit from the provincial government of British Columbia.

Anchor Loop Timeline

Preconstruction phase:

June 2007 to July 2007

Environmental and cultural resource sites along the Anchor Loop corridor will be staked.

Workers will be required to participate in Environmental Awareness Training.

June 2007 to August 2007

Preparing main yard site, building pipe stockpile sites, arrival of contractor equipment and supplies

Stage 1: September 2007 to December 2007

Clearing right of way in Mount Robson

Stage 2: June 2008 to September 2008

Preparing right of way and rock ditch

Stage 3: July 2008 to November 2008

Stringing, welding, bending lowering pipe

Stage 4: July 2008 to November 2008

Trenching, lowering and backfill

Stage 5: August 2008 to November 2008

Testing the pipeline

Stage 6: July 2008 to November 2009

Clean up and restoration of the land