Kinder Morgan's proposed $5.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline twinning project through Langley and Surrey will divert from its existing route to avoid built-up areas, but puts the pipeline closer to the Fraser River.

The Calgary-based company released its proposed route plans for Surrey on Friday and the Langley route earlier this week, showing the first major diversion from the existing pipeline, which began operation in 1954.

The rest of the proposed pipeline, through the Fraser Valley and Interior, largely follows the existing route.

The company expects to release its proposed route for the pipeline north of the Fraser River next week.

Diverting around neighbourhoods - such as Walnut Grove in Langley and Fraser Heights in Surrey - could allay concerns of some residents.

But placing the pipeline closer to the Fraser River along the CN Rail corridor will likely focus more attention on the potential risk of spills and their effect on the major salmon-bearing waterway.

There are about four kilometres in north Surrey where the pipeline's proposed route is within 200 to 300 metres of the river, and comes as close as less than 100 metres at one spot.

Along the existing route, there is one spot where the pipeline comes as close as about 250 metres to the river in Langley, part of an approximately three-kilometre stretch which is less than one kilometre from the river. In the remainder of Langley and Surrey, the existing pipeline is about two kilometres or more from the river.

Kinder Morgan officials were not available for comment on Friday.

"We believe a reroute for the study corridor is the best option for these reasons: (it) avoids impact to residential neighbours, (and) urban development restricts use of the existing right-of-way through Surrey," the company said on its website.

A final decision on the route is almost two years away, and Kinder Morgan is seeking comments on its proposed routes.

Wilderness Committee campaigner Eoin Madden said putting the pipeline closer to the river adds more risk. "The Fraser River is a massive conduit for salmon runs, and it's very important for a lot of communities, most specifically First Nations," noted Madden.

The Kinder Morgan twinning project is meant to provide new markets in Asia for crude oil from the Alberta oilsands. Canada is almost completely reliant on exporting its oil to the U.S.

The proposed project, which will face a federal review led by the National Energy Board, will nearly triple capacity to 890,000 barrels a day from 300,000 barrels a day. It is one of two proposed projects trying to tap into the Asian market, which includes Enbridge's $6.5-billion Northern Gateway project in northern B.C.

Both projects have been controversial, as environmentalists, First Nations and community residents have raised concerns about the consequences of oil spills from the pipeline and increased tanker traffic.

Kinder Morgan has noted that as an industry, pipeline companies are required to meet stringent engineering, construction and maintenance regulations to ensure the safety of its systems.

National Energy Board data show there have been nine leaks along the pipeline since 2002, spilling a total of nearly 4,800 barrels of oil.

The largest pipeline spill took place in 2007, when about 1,400 barrels of oil leaked in Burnaby after an excavator punctured the line.

The nine spills do not include a recent small seep south of Merritt, which leaked about six barrels of oil.