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See Legal Notices for important information on the climate-related content on this website.

Crossing and encroachments

What is a crossing?

A crossing, also known as an encroachment, can be a temporary or permanent structure across, on, along or under a facility or pipeline right-of-way. A crossing can also mean equipment or machinery crossing over the pipeline right-of-way or facility site.

Examples of crossings:

  • Installing or replacing fencing
  • Installing pipe, cable, conduit or other utilities
  • Digging any hole or trenching
  • Building a shed or outbuilding
  • Using the right-of-way to turn around heavy equipment
  • Driving or transporting heavy equipment or heavy loads on or across the right-of-way
  • Storing or piling material like earth, gravel or construction equipment on the right-of-way

All of these activities and more need written consent from the pipeline operator to ensure the continued integrity and safe operation of the pipeline.

Important: This is a requirement for all pipelines regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER), who may issue fines or penalties for non-compliance. A TC Energy representative MUST be present for any work conducted on the pipeline right-of-way.

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How to apply for written consent

  1. Determine the location of your work relative to TC Energy's facilities. Work is not permitted to begin on the right-of-way until written consent has been obtained.

  2. A request for written consent can be submitted to TC Energy through our online application form at writtenconsent.tcenergy.com

  3. To better serve you and speed up your request, please provide the following information:

    • Proposed activity – what are you planning to do?
    • Location of proposed work (GPS coordinates and legal land location)
    • Make and model of any equipment that will cross/encroach the pipeline facilities.
    • Proposed activity date
    • Axle load (weight)
    • Your name and phone number
    • Email address
  4. You can also inquire by phone at 1-877-872-5177 or by email at crossings@tcenergy.com

  5. Make a locate request either online (ClickBeforeYouDig.com) or by calling your local One-Call Centre early, at least 3-5 business days in advance

  6. The One-Call Centre will notify owners of buried utilities in your area, who will send representatives to mark these facilities with flags, paint or other marks, helping you avoid damaging them. Often written consent for minor activities can be obtained directly from a regional TC Energy representative through a locate request.

  7. Once your information has been assessed and potential impacts have been evaluated, TC Energy may:

    • Grant consent without any conditions
    • Grant consent that requires certain conditions to be met to assure safety, or
    • Not grant consent

Life-saving information

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