Safety Is Our Number One Value

Canadian crossing and encroachment applications: What you need to know

To ensure our pipelines and facilities operate safely, written consent from TransCanada must be obtained in Canada before any of the following:

• Constructing or installing a facility across, on, along or under a TransCanada pipeline right-of-way or facility site
• Conducting ground disturbance (excavation or digging) on or within the prescribed area (30 metres or 100 feet from the centreline of the pipeline) or facility site
• Driving a vehicle, mobile equipment or machinery across a TransCanada pipeline right-of-way outside the travelled portion of a highway or public road or on a facility site
• Using any explosives within 300 metres or 1,000 feet of TransCanada’s pipeline right-of-way or facility

Agricultural crossings

Landowners operating agricultural vehicles across TransCanada’s pipeline rights-of-way may do so without consent provided they operate under normal conditions.

Normal operating conditions include:

• The loaded axle weight and tire pressures of the vehicle or mobile equipment are within the manufac­turer’s approved limits and operating guidelines;
• the point of crossing has not been restricted by TransCanada; and
• the vehicle or mobile equipment is used for typical agricultural activities such as in the production of crops and the raising of animals, including pasturing and cultivation activities such as tillage, plowing, disking and harrowing.

In all other conditions, written consent is required.

How to apply for crossing consent in Canada

1. Determine the location of your work relative to TransCanada's facilities

When planning, and before any of the work or activities listed above can begin, a request for consent must be submitted to TransCanada through our online application form. We will no longer be accepting applications through email. Location of the work is required, along with the proximity to TransCanada’s rights-of-way. This information can be obtained through survey plans, or through a One-Call visit (please see above for One-Call contact information).

2. Complete and submit the online Crossing Application

The online application can be found here: WrittenConsent.TransCanada.com

3. Application assessment and consent

Once your information has been assessed and potential impacts have been evaluated, TransCanada may:

a. Grant consent without any conditions 
b. Grant consent that requires certain conditions to be met to assure safety, or 
c. Not grant consent

4. Work or activity

Once consent has been granted, the Applicant must follow the guidance included in the written consent.  A local One-Call notification center must be contacted at least three (3) business days before beginning the work. TransCanada will send a representative to mark the location of the pipeline facilities. Please plan your work schedule accordingly. The approval documentation must be onsite at all times.

Want to learn more? Read our Pipeline Crossings FAQ.

Pipeline Crossings FAQ (27 KB)

Regulatory requirements and other guidance governing crossings and ground disturbances near pipelines:

National Energy Board

• NEB: Pipeline Damage Prevention: Ground Disturbance, Construction and Vehicle Crossings
• NEB: Guidance for Safe Crossings of NEB-Regulated Pipelines Using Agricultural Vehicles and Mobile Equipment
• NEB: Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations - Authorizations (SOR/2016-124)
• NEB: Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations - Obligations of Pipeline Companies (SOR/2016-133)
• NEB: Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations

Alberta Energy Regulator

Alberta Pipeline Act (354 KB)

Alberta Pipeline Act — Pipeline Rules (460 KB)

For more information, please contact us:

Canada

Phone: 1.877.872.5177

Email: crossings@transcanada.com

Email (Quebec): quebec_crossings@transcanada.com

Road Use Applications and Road Ban Notifications

Email: road_use@transcanada.com

Industry Notifications

Email: industry_notifys@transcanada.com