Providing long term slope stabilization for sandy soils

OVERVIEW 

TransCanada has the largest pipeline infrastructure in Canada. In 2008, TransCanada, now known as TC Energy, successfully ran a large diameter gas pipeline below the St. Maurice River in Cap de la Madeleine, Quebec. After construction, the steep 1:1 slopes that were cleared for access began to experience erosion and stability issues. Sandy soils caused slides and deposited sediments along the river’s bank. 

CHALLENGE 

Due to the terrain’s extreme slopes and the remote area, access to the site was prohibitive of most slope stabilization solutions. PROPEX Armormax^® was selected because it is light weight, easily transported to remote areas, and is low impact development (LID). It also provides provides immediate and long-term stabilization. Pipelines workers tethered to the top of the slope and installed the PROPEX Pyramat^® 75 High Performance Turf Reinforcement Mat (HPTRM) and B2 Engineered Earth Anchors™ with ease. 

SOLUTION 

After installation, PROPEX Armormax was live staked with trees and seeded. Twelve years later, the trees and vegetation have matured and continue to prevent erosion of sediments into the river with a natural, vegetated solution.