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Some local leaders in B.C.\u2019s Interior say a proposed new oil pipeline from Alberta to the west coast could bring major economic opportunities. But they warn smaller communities along the route need support as they brace for increased activity that comes with a major construction project.<\/p>\n
Alberta formally pitched its vision for the new pipeline on Thursday after reaching a political compromise with Ottawa.<\/p>\n
The project had initially considered a northern route, but the federal government and B.C. announced a deal that effectively took B.C.’s North Coast off the table as an export point.<\/p>\n
The proposed pipeline now generally follows the existing footprint of the federally-owned Trans Mountain pipeline, running from Bruderheim, northeast of Edmonton, to the Roberts Bank export terminal in Delta, B.C., south of Vancouver.<\/p>\n
That means the project would run through Kamloops and the North Thompson Valley, including Barriere and Clearwater, B.C. communities that have felt the impact of the Trans Mountain expansion \u2014 both good and bad.<\/p>\n
Clearwater Mayor Merlin Blackwell said he was not surprised by the proposed route.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s the most logical route,\u201d he said. \u201cYou’re not having to break ground through an entirely new route and make new deals and negotiate with completely new partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
WATCH | Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says new pipeline ‘increasingly likely’:![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783130290_573_default.jpg\")
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‘Increasingly likely\u2019 new West Coast oil pipeline happens, says Alberta premier<\/p>\n
The details of Alberta\u2019s pitch for a new oil pipeline to the West Coast are now public, revealing a price tag of $35 billion. Power & Politics sits down with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to discuss why her government is prepared to use public money to foot part of that bill.<\/p>\n
The new Alberta proposal says construction could begin as early as 2027 and finish by 2034. Plans are underway to expand Trans Mountain to almost 1.2 million barrels per day through additional pump stations, chemical additives and some new pipe.<\/p>\n
For Clearwater, Blackwell said the last pipeline expansion brought real business to town, especially for hotels, restaurants and service providers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when tourism to the area dropped.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrans Mountain pipeline crews backfilled a lot of accommodation and restaurants and services in town during that time, which was great,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
But the community also saw the downside of a boom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783156271_280_default.jpg\")
Alberta’s pipeline proposal project currently includes two main routing options, referred to as the original corridor and the optimized corridor. (Province of Alberta)<\/p>\n
Both Valemount and Clearwater saw heavy truck traffic during the Trans Mountain expansion, causing wear and tear on local roads<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a boom cycle and any city that’s gone through a boom understands what comes with it,\u201d the mayor added. \u201cIncreased drugs, increased crime, increased civil issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783156272_401_default.jpg\")
Clearwater Mayor Merlin Blackwell says the community can’t absorb the social challenges, housing needs and demands on infrastructure from two large projects without help from the government. (Tina Lovgreen\/CBC)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783130717_264_default.jpg\")
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