A city councillor thinks there’s no way the existing 66-year-old section of the Trans Mountain Pipeline that runs under Westsyde is going to last much longer.

Speaking on the NL Morning News, Denis Walsh says it’s in government regulations to move the existing pipe away from a populated area.

“The Canadian Energy Regulator (CER), which has replaced the National Energy Board, they have a mandate,” he said. “There’s a mandate, Section 212 to ensure the safety of persons and the pipeline and to protect the environment.”

“So, it’s their mandate, it’s probably never been done before but we still have time because it isn’t built.”

Walsh doesn’t think the existing pipeline will last 20 to 30 more years, pointing out that sewer pipes are replaced at 40 to 50 years.

“Now’s the time to put a new pipeline with new technology, the proper depth, the walls are thick enough and then go for it,” he said.

Trans Mountain’s expansion pipeline will be routed through Lac du Bois, with a CER spokesperson telling council that age isn’t necessarily a determining factor when it comes to safety and integrity of a pipeline.

But Danielle Prevost said that in more sensitive areas, there is more oversight and more requirements to be met.

Walsh’s motion seeking support to ask the CER to order that existing part of the line be rerouted will go before council on Jan. 14.