T-2103-8
Access Pipeline Inc. North Saskatchewan River Pipeline Instream Repair Project
Joanna Fedoruk, P.Biol,
Environmental Monitor
Access Pipeline Inc.
780-819-1907
Jesse Chambers
Environmental Planner
TERA Environmental Consultants
403-930-8126
ACCESS Pipeline Inc. (ACCESS) owns and operates a bundle of four pipelines that traverse the North Saskatchewan River. The results from the 2010 inspections indicated that the material originally used to backfill the trench in 2006 had been washed out of approximately 50% of the length of the crossing and a portion of the top section of the pipeline bundle was in threat of being exposed. In 2012, as the depth of cover did not meet regulatory code requirements, repair of the crossing was required to fill the washed out area, maintain pipe integrity and restore the river bottom to its preconstruction profile. All material would be placed directly into the river through the use of a helicopter with a material basket slung beneath. No equipment would be operated instream or on the river banks and no excavating or grading of the river bed or banks was permissible. In addition, no vehicle crossing would be required during the project. The restoration only took 18 days with minimal environmental impact.
Keywords: crossing restoration