Work has started to build the Trans Mountain expansion pipeline under Ord Road and through the Lac Du Bois Grasslands.

Trans Mountain spokesperson Kate Stebbing says crews have started in the main parking area on Lac Du Bois Road.

She says they are clearing space to the south, to make room to get equipment down the steep slopes towards Ord Road.

“We started work on the Ord Road bypass, which is a 150-metre wide bypass at the base of the steep Ord Road hill. And there will be sort of a giant gabion wall-type structure at the base of that hill. So that as we’re working on the steep slopes, if any rock or debris is sloughed off, the travelling public will be protected at the base of that hill.”

The bypass will be near the intersection with Tranquille Road, near the Ord Road Dog Park.

After coming down the hill, the pipeline expansion will cross under CN Rail lines in two spots, before crossing under Tranquille Road and Airport Road.