BC Hydro will be making system improvements to one of the two transmission lines that lead to Gold River and eventually North Vancouver Island.
The work includes large vehicles carrying long poles and some helicopter work, with the nearby Strathcona Dam Campground to be used as the staging area. The campground will be closed for public safety from Oct. 19-29.
“Our crews will be removing eight transmission line structures with new struct spokesperson Stephen Watson. “Two of those structures are very challenging to access and the use of a helicopter will be an effective way to remove the existing structures and bring in the new ones.
“The large field within the campground will be the area where the poles will be stored. At times the helicopter will be moving back and forth and over the campsite, so for public safety, we need to close it down temporarily.”
The 138,000 volt transmission line will be de-energised during the work with the other transmission line in full service to provide electricity to North Island BC Hydro customers.
“The work was nicely timed for the shoulder recreation season and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,” says Watson.
BC Hydro’s Strathcona Dam campground offers free, year-round camping and is accessed off Highway 28.