12 protesters continue to hang from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge at the eastern end of Burrard Inlet. They are hoping to disrupt work on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. Photo courtesy Twitter/Greenpeace Canada.
As protesters reach 30 hours hanging from a Metro Vancouver bridge, Trans Mountain has filed its six-month construction schedule for pipeline expansion in B.C. and Alberta.
Trans Mountain says work will begin this month at the Westridge Marine Terminal near Burnaby Mountain on a tunnel portal.
Earlier today we filed a six month outlook summary schedule for the #TransMountain Expansion Project with the @NEBCanada outlining construction activities planned for 2018. https://t.co/54Au9cd9Wa #BuildTM #pipelines
— Trans Mountain (@TransMtn) July 4, 2018
It comes as activists rappelled from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge at the eastern end of Burrard Inlet Tuesday morning, where they remained Wednesday morning.
The protesters are trying to prevent ship traffic at the marine terminal and although Trans Mountain says the 12-person demonstration is not affecting operations, a tanker docked yesterday morning is still at the terminal.
BREAKING: 24+ hours into our blockade, the tanker our climbers are blocking has finished loading, has moved out to anchor and is supposed to head out to sea. But we're in the way. We don't know what will happen next — stay tuned! #StopPipelines #noTMX #StopKM #cdnpoli #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/Rh6334Mq7U
— Greenpeace Canada (@GreenpeaceCA) July 4, 2018
The protest has received international attention, with support on Twitter from actor and activist Jane Fonda.
12 courageous activists and Indigenous leaders in Vancouver have formed a beautiful aerial blockade to stop ships carrying tarsands oil from #TransMountain pipeline terminal down the Pacific coast. Tell Trudeau and take action with them >> https://t.co/hfiFFeZigM #StopPipelines pic.twitter.com/9bYaUbjWUS
— Jane Seymour Fonda (@Janefonda) July 4, 2018
The Canadian government bought the pipeline expansion project from Kinder Morgan for $4.5 billion at the end of May.
Construction plans include surveying, staking and flagging on a stretch of pipeline between Edmonton and Jasper National Park in August.
A 120-kilometre stretch between Mount Robson Provincial Park and Blue River for similar work will start in September.
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