PLCAC Member Michels Canada Co. Completes Rocky View Project
Michels Canada constructed 22 km of 42-inch natural gas pipeline and associated fabricated facilities on the Rocky View section of the Western Alberta System Mainline Loop (WASML). The work site was a combination of rural and urban locations that intersected the town of Cochrane and surrounding Rocky View County in Alberta’s foothills region. During peak production, over 600 dedicated pipeline workers were involved in the two-year construction project. In a Cochrane Times article, the execution of this project, which concluded in October 2020, was praised by the town officials and residents from Cochrane, AB.
Protecting the environmentally sensitive wetlands and critical wildlife biodiversity zones was a top priority as the Michels’ team progressed along the construction footprint associated with the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
To protect the native grasses common in this area, crews installed wooden access mats over extensive sections of the right-of-way. These mats facilitated the movement of heavy construction equipment throughout this sensitive environment. Additionally, to mitigate noise for nearby residents, Michels installed a sound barrier wall adjacent to the Bow River HDD area.
Credits: Jill Badzinski, Communications Manager, Michels Canada Co.