BC Hydro has provided their first construction update since breaking ground on the North Coast Transmission Line last month.
Most of the work planned through December will focus on Phase One between Prince George and Fraser Lake.
That will mostly consist of upgrading and building access roads, replacing service road bridges, and clearing right of ways.
Line relocation work is slated to begin in December with the stretch between Williston and Beverley.
Work is also underway to dismantle the John Horgan Dam worker accommodations, which will then be relocated to Vanderhoof.
But there is some work happening further west.
Bridge replacement along the Copper Forest Service Road east of Terrace is continuing and expected to wrap-up this month.
Local Businesses Take Issue with Route
The North Coast Transmission Line is set to double electricity delivery to the Northwest, but not everyone’s on board with the planned route.
Their preferred route would mostly mirror the existing line, but some areas require a larger right of way.
Maps of that haven’t been made public, but the Skeena Golf and Country Club and Terrace Rod and Gun Club both say it’d hurt their business.
They say the larger clearing would encourage more off-road traffic, which could lead to damages.
New overhead lines and possible towers, and water supply issues could also impact the facilities.
It may force them to move parts of their operations, which neither club can afford to deal with.
Both brought their concerns to the Regional District, who supported a motion to champion their concerns.
But they also had a transparency issue of their own.
A portion of their meeting with BC Hydro was kept in-camera, and Directors saw no reason it needed to be.
Multiple Directors called it an attempt to hide information from the public, though because it was in-camera, they couldn’t discuss specifics.
