Work is set to begin at the marine terminal at the LNG Canada site in Kitimat, with demolition and construction expected to ramp up in the coming weeks.
The company said the work will involve demolishing wharves, building a new quay wall and conducting dredging assessment work, all aimed at improving safety and efficiency in vessel movement at the marine terminal.
Demolition is set to begin in April and is expected to last about 10 months, with both on-shore and off-shore work to be carried out near the marine terminal site. During the period, residents in the Kitimat region should expect increased vessel traffic at the marine terminal site, as well as increased truck traffic along Haisla Boulevard, moving from the LNG Canada site to Sandhill for waste removal.
Noise from the site is also expected to increase as work progresses. The company said it will use vibratory hammers to demolish existing marine piles, and the noise will be heard in Kitamaat Village and across the Kitimat region. Work is expected to be completed before 10 p.m.
The company said that measures will be in place to manage the environmental impacts that may arise during construction. Water affected by construction activities will be collected and discharged after treatment under a permit from the BC Energy Regulator. The water quality and noise levels in the marine water will be monitored during the entire project period.
In-water work is expected to start on Apr. 15, timed to avoid disruption to oolichan and herring migration. Marine mammal observers will be on site during this period, and work will pause if marine mammals are spotted in the exclusion zone.
LNG Canada said the upgrades are intended to support safer marine operations as activity at the terminal continues to grow in Kitimat.
