Kinder Morgan: legal fight could force Trans Mountain Pipeline through Burnaby neighbourhood

Kinder Morgan is warning it may have to abandon its plan to run part of an expanded pipeline under Burnaby Mountain and stick with the existing route through an established neighbourhood.

Last night, the president of Kinder Morgan Canada Ian Anderson told a public meeting that he's concerned the legal delays are meaning it is taking too long to get necessary geotechnical survey work done.

Anderson said the company may have to return its focus to its existing route through Burnaby's Westridge neighbourhood in order to meet deadlines set by the National Energy Board.

But Anderson says the company would prefer to use the route under Burnaby Mountain instead, to avoid impacting residents.

"We're looking to reduce impact locally. We're looking for routes that are benign as possible and we're looking to execute on a project that ultimately local communities can see on balance is in the interests of Canada."

The company says it has halted work on Burnaby Mountain for now as it seeks further powers from the National Energy Board.

Last week the City of Burnaby's application for a temporary injunction to stop the company from cutting trees as part of it survey work on Burnaby Mountain was turned down, but hearings over the matter are still pending.

Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan has vowed to use all legal means necessary to halt work on the $5.4 billion expansion of the existing crude oil pipeline through his city.