Enbridge crew will be back next summer
Focus shifting from surface reclamation to bringing Line 3 online
October 29, 2019, 1:45 am
Kevin Weedmark
Wet weather this fall delayed reclamation work on the Enbridge Line 3 right-of-way so much that the 200 workers currently in the Moosomin area will wrap up the work they can by mid-November and the workers will be back next summer to complete the work.
Meanwhile, the focus at Enbridge is shifting to bringing the new Line 3 pipeline online.
“Reclamation of the Enbridge Line 3 replacement project right-of-way continues in southeast Saskatchewan near Moosomin, with crews of approximately 200 workers,” said Line 3 Construction manager Al Sawatzky.
“Wet weather has delayed our construction schedule, much the same as it has delayed fall harvest in the area,” he said.
“However, we remain optimistic for extended dry weather that will support farmers getting their crops off the fields as well as our final reclamation efforts.
“We expect to wrap up reclamation activities for this season in mid-November, returning next summer to complete the remaining work.
“Our objective, as always, is to restore the land to as good or better condition as it was prior to construction.”
As the reclamation proceeds, dedicated crews will be mobilizing during the last week of October to begin the task of bringing the Line 3 replacement pipeline into commercial service.
This will involve filling the new replacement pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta to Gretna, Manitoba and some purging of the existing Line 3.
In the Moosomin and Cromer area, these activities are anticipated to take place in early to mid-November.
“We are targeting December for first commercial service of the Line 3 replacement pipeline in Canada,” said Sawatzky.
“The nature of the work requires 24-hour operations and there will be some short-duration localized noise, potential odor and increased traffic as this work proceeds within a small area surrounding some of the Line 3 facilities, including the Cromer Terminal.
“Throughout this process, we will be working to ensure noise levels are mitigated as much as possible.
“We are working to notify landowners and nearby residents who may be impacted by these activities as well as municipalities in proximity to the right of way.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding of the community as we near the home stretch of the project.
For more on the Line 3 project, turn to the Mining, energy and Manufacturing pages inside this week’s World-Spectator.
