The finish line for the Coastal GasLink pipeline project, which will transport natural gas from northeastern B.C. to the LNG Canada terminal in Kitimat, is just within reach.
TC Energy Corp. announced that the project is 98% finished and with the expectation it will be complete by the end of the year.
The pipeline, which spans 670 kilometres across northern B.C., has faced significant challenges and delays due to opposition from some radical environmental and Indigenous groups.
The hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, whose traditional territory the pipeline crosses, have been vocal in their opposition and have launched several legal challenges against the project.
However, elected bands along the pipeline’s group support the project and have signed agreements with the company.
The pipeline’s construction has also been marred by violence and vandalism. In 2022, a group of masked assailants attacked a work camp and damaged equipment with axes.
In 2023, another group of attackers assaulted a worker at the pipeline site.
The RCMP have arrested five suspects in connection with the latter incident.
“Criminal acts by persons under the guise of protesting, particularly the violence exhibited by the suspects in this instance, will not be tolerated,” an RCMP statement said.
Despite these setbacks, TC Energy says it remains committed to delivering the project on time and on budget.
The company has increased its estimated cost for the project from $11.2 billion to $14.5 billion, more than double the original estimate of $6.2 billion.
