Trans Mountain Pipeline survey work to start today on Burnaby Mountain

Kinder Morgan plans to begin survey work at the foot of Burnaby Mountain today for its planned expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.

The Texas oil giant wants to triple the existing pipeline's capacity. The proposed $5.4 billion  project would mean an additional 590,000 barrels of oil passing through several Metro Vancouver municipalities each day.

Kinder Morgan would prefer to bore its pipeline through the mountain, rather than follow the current pipeline route through residential and business areas.

The company says it will be temporarily accessing Burnaby lands to do survey and geotechnical work between Aug. 27 and Sept. 30. 

But the project is opposed by the City of Burnaby, which has vowed to do what it can to stop the survey work.

A recent National Energy Board ruling says the company has the right to access Burnaby land, but the city maintains that the ruling does not allow Kinder Morgan to break its bylaws.

Mayor Derek Corrigan says he will allow non-invasive work, but  by-law officers will be be on hand to watch and take action if Kinder Morgan breaks any of its by-laws.

"If they decide to do things that are more invasive in the park, for instance building a helicopter landing pad on Burnaby mountain or doing deep boring then we would enter and put in a stop work order."

Corrigan says he's not surprised by the standoff currently taking place between Burnaby and the oil company and ultimately expects to end up in court again.