Natural gas pipeline to run through Markham

May 30, 2014
Yorkregion.com
By Amanda Persico

TransCanada is proposing to construct a new natural gas pipeline cutting across the city.

The buried pipeline project spans about 370 kilometres, starting in Markham to South Dundas, about 70km south of Ottawa.

The new pipe, about 36 inches in diameter, is part of the Eastern Mainline pipeline project that will run along the existing two eastward pipelines already travelling through the city - a 20-inch pipe and a 24-inch pipe.

There are three pipelines forcing natural gas westward across the city, with the latest installed during the late 1970s.

With increased demand, this project is merely adding more horsepower along the existing lines, said TransCanada pipeline projects manager Mark Mulder during a recent Markham development services committee meeting.

The pipeline reflects the supply shift from Western Canada to the northeastern United States.

With a project this size, TransCanada not only has to work with municipalities, but multiple landowners.

There are more than 1,300 landowners across the entire project, 20 or so within Markham.

The project raised questions about the city’s natural heritage and green spaces.

The company has a reclamation process during and after pipeline construction that includes equipment sterilization and clean stations along the route to prevent the spread of invasive and non-native plants.

The company also has a monitoring program to ensure new plants and vegetation are successful.

TransCanada has submitted a project description to the National Energy Board - the governing body that regulates oil, gas and electric utility industries on an interprovincial and international level - and is starting on the first round of public open houses in the coming months.

The second round of public open houses will take place in the fall.

Residents can expect construction to start in 2016, pending project approval.

For more information, visit easternmainline.com