FYISpecial Networking Session on Northern Transmission Line
Monday, October 25, 2010 03:54 AM
Terrace, B.C.- Although the environmental assessment certificate has yet to be granted, there is a great deal of work being done to prepare for the construction of the B.C. Hydro Northwest Transmission Line (NTL).
On Thursday of this week, there will be an informal open house in Terrace, where local contractors can meet with the four proponents on the short list of those vying for the contract to design and build the line.
“The session will be very informal” says Lesley Wood of Stakeholder Relations with BC Hydro “This is a chance for local contractors to let proponents know the skills they have, and to share business cards.” Wood says the session is not about resumes and interviews.
The NTL will see a 287 kilovolt line from the Skeena Substation near Terrace to a new substation to be built near Bob Quinn Lake.
The four proponents on the short list for the design-build contract for the $404 million dollar line are:
· Allteck Line Contractors Incorporated · Ledcor CMI Ltd. -- Flatiron Constructors Canada Limited -- Graham Infrastructure, a Joint Venture (LFGJV) · Kiewit -- Henkels McCoy PEI Inc.· Valard Burns & McDonnell, Ltd.The proposed route for the line has seen a change, with B.C. Hydro now proposing to have a section of the line on the east side of Mount Bell Irving. The change is the result of a request from the Gitanyow First Nation, so that the NTL route would avoid the sensitive Hanna-Tintina wildlife area.
A couple of contracts have been awarded for preliminary work.
Tahltan-Allnorth Consultants Limited Partnership has been awarded the contract for preliminary centreline survey to stake structure locations, identify natural and cultural features alonthe proposed route.
Cypress Forest Consultants has been awarded the contract for Forestry engineering work which will focus on the northernmost 44 km and southernmost 62 km of the line’s proposed corridor. This contract includes; identifying potential hazard trees; evaluating access to and along the proposed corridor; estimating timber volume and appraising timber value.
The special networking session set for Thursday in Terrace will take place from 3-6 p.m. at the Best Western Terrace Inn on Greig Avenue.
If the environmental assessment certificate is granted this fall, work on the line could start in early 2011, with completion in late 2013.