Coastal GasLink names Aecon as its prime contractor for project facilities as construction ramps up

Conceptual artist rendering of Wilde Lake Compressor Station

Coastal GasLink has selected Aecon Group Inc. as prime contractor for construction of the compressor and metering stations that will become the anchor points of the natural gas pipeline. This announcement comes as the project is poised to launch the summer construction program and see first pipe put in the ground in July.

“We are pleased to welcome Aecon to our high-quality team of prime contractors that’s been assembled to safely and effectively deliver this world class project,” said David Pfeiffer, Coastal GasLink’s President.

Facilities are key pieces of infrastructure and important components of a natural gas pipeline, as they ensure that natural gas moves through the pipeline safely and efficiently. The initial phase of the Coastal GasLink Project includes the Wilde Lake Compressor Station and the Kitimat Meter Station.  

“Aecon brings a wealth of experience constructing pipeline facilities, and similar to our pipeline contractors, they share our commitment to creating an extraordinary legacy of safety and respect for all people, communities and the environment,” added Pfeiffer.

Construction of the Wilde Lake facility will kick off in July 2020, as part of our summer construction program, which will see a gradual ramp up of work across the route over the coming months, in advance of peak activity in September. 

Work over the coming weeks will focus on environmental monitoring and field work, grading, grubbing and workforce accommodation establishment to position the project for pipe assembly and installation later this summer. Pipe deliveries will also continue with pipe stringing and assembly commencing as early as July in multiple areas across the project, although the project’s first in-field pipeline weld took place in Kitimat earlier this month.

With this work, comes additional workforce requirements as the summer construction season ramps up, ultimately growing to over 2,500 by September.

Together with our other prime contractors, Coastal GasLink is following through on our commitment to hiring qualified workers from local communities and we are working with them to ensure that Indigenous and local people who want to work on the project have an opportunity to participate.

“At Coastal GasLink, we’ve always recognized the value of partnering with local communities to provide lasting economic benefits today, and for decades to come,” explained Pfeiffer. “We are proud to be helping people get back to work ensuring that we are maximizing the number of Indigenous and local workers benefitting from our project,” said Pfeiffer.

As always, the health and safety of our workforce, their families, and surrounding communities is at the forefront of everything we do as we move into summer construction and peak activities. As construction ramps up, Coastal GasLink is implementing enhanced project-wide health and safety standards at all worksites and workforce accommodations. These standards were designed in accordance with Dr. Bonnie Henry’s guidance and are the result of our ongoing collaboration with Northern Health and local communities.

As construction ramps up, we want to make sure you have access to information you need about construction activities in your community, as well as job opportunities.

To learn more about project progress, read our June Construction Update or register to receive monthly updates.