Chilliwack residents living near the planned expansion route of the Trans Mountain pipeline had an opportunity to learn more about the project’s potential impact Wednesday evening.
The pipeline company brought in a host of scientists and engineers to answer questions about everything, from route selection to pipeline safety.
Part of Trans Mountain’s $6.8 billion pipeline proposal travels through Chilliwack, affecting homes, farms and civic infrastructure.
Residents living in the nearby neighbourhoods were invited to the event though notices delivered to individual homes.
Among those asking questions and listening to answers were Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz, Coun. Ken Popove and the city’s director of planning and engineering David Blain.
The meeting comes on the heels of a city staff recommendation to reject tunneling in affected neighbourhoods, saying that method would put the pipeline too deep into the city’s sole source of drinking water. Instead, construction – if it gains National Energy Board approval – would involve digging a two-metre deep trench through the backyards of more than 60 homes.
Watch Friday’s Chilliwack Progress for more on that discussion.