Safety a Priority At Newfoundland Project

St. John’s, NF -- -

St. JohnÂ’s, NF -- Construction on the third phase of a Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro multi-million dollar project to upgrade transmission lines on the Avalon Peninsula began on January 29, 2001. The general public, particularly snowmobilers, are cautioned to avoid the construction area on the transmission line from Come-by-Chance to Chapel Arm.

"We are pleased that work is on schedule and on budget, but safety is HydroÂ’s first priority," said Don Barrett, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. "We want to inform the general public that new excavation and blasting will occur throughout the work day, and that heavy equipment will be on site throughout the construction period. Construction may take place outside regular hours and on week-ends and is scheduled to be completed prior to the end of the year."

This transmission line from Come-by-Chance to Chapel Arm requires work on 44 km of transmission line. It will involve the installation of foundations, the upgrading of existing towers and the addition of new towers. The public tender was awarded to Greens Service Station Ltd. of Goobies.

"The Avalon Peninsula transmission line upgrade is part of a $47 million multi-year capital program to strengthen Newfoundland and Labrador HydroÂ’s transmission lines on the Avalon Peninsula. This will enable Hydro to continue to provide power to customers on a reliable and consistent basis," said Mr. Barrett. "The specific purpose of the transmission line upgrade is to improve the reliability of the transmission lines under wind/ice loading conditions. The upgrade will also result in an increase in load carrying capability. This additional capability will provide an opportunity for more flexibility and improved efficiency in scheduling the generating resources serving the east coast."

This phase of the project is part of a major program upgrade for the Avalon Peninsula involving approximately 155 km of transmission line on five 230kV transmission lines. Work on two of the five transmission lines, from Sunnyside to Come-by-Chance and from Chapel Arm to Holyrood, is complete. Work on the final two transmission lines, from Holyrood to the Hardwoods terminal station and from Hardwoods to Oxen Pond, is scheduled to take place in 2002 subject to approval by the PUB during HydroÂ’s capital budget hearings.