This map, provided to the News in 1957, shows the extent of the TransCanada Pipeline and Alberta Gas Trunk line (now known at the Nova Gas Transmission Line system) at its completion. A "suspension bridge" noted at bottom, is set to be decommissioned and removed by the company next year.--News Archives
@MedicineHatNews
TC Energy will remove an aerial section of its Nova Gas Transmission Line that spans the South Saskatchewan River valley at the northern edge of Cypress County.
The support structure that helps carry the line 1,000 feet across the river valley will also be dismantled, according to the company, which says deliveries will be rerouted to existing lines that were bored beneath the river.
“The Eastern Alberta System Mainline Modifications Project is designed to maintain the integrity, reliability and cost-effectiveness of transmission services on the Nova Gas Transmission Line system,” reads a statement on the project
“Natural gas flow has been permanently rerouted to existing pipelines located beneath the river to maintain service continuity.”
The company applied last year to the Canadian Energy Regulator to conduct the work – closing the 34-inch wide, near two-kilometre line – remove it and related tower structure.
According to News reports on the day of its opening in July 1957, the span was the longest of its kind in North America at the time, cost $800,000, and was installed by Fulton Bannister Pipelines on towers that rose 120 feet at either end.
Both 36-inch and 24-inch lines that currently comprise the span will be removed.
TC officials say further permitting and engineering activities will continue in 2025, and fieldwork will proceed in 2026.
“This work underscores TC Energy’s commitment to meeting the evolving energy needs of the communities we serve while minimizing our environmental footprint and maintaining the reliability of the NGTL System,” the statement said.
