Alberta’s southern pipeline plan faces hurdles at B.C. terminal site

Alberta’s proposed southern pipeline route to B.C.’s coast is drawing renewed attention because of the challenges tied to its planned terminal location at Roberts Bank in Delta, B.C. The route would largely follow the existing Trans Mountain corridor, but a new section through the Fraser Valley would shift the terminal away from Burrard Inlet and into a highly sensitive coastal area. Researchers and environmental advocates say the site raises concerns about earthquake risk, weak and waterlogged soils, and added pressure on an already busy estuary. Scientists cited in the article say the Fraser Valley’s loose sediment could liquefy during a major earthquake, which would make construction and longterm safety more difficult and potentially more expensive. The proposal also overlaps with the longplanned Roberts Bank Terminal 2 port expansion, creating questions about how two large industrial projects could share the same area. First Nations in the region have not all taken a position yet, but local leaders say any new development must account for environmental, cultural, and harvesting impacts on their territories.