The Peace RiverB次元官网网址檚 flow is now diverted through twin tunnels for the main riverbed works of B.C. HydroB次元官网网址檚 Site C dam, opening a dry area of the riverbed for construction of B次元官网网址渇oundation enhancementsB次元官网网址� that were identified by geological mapping as a change to the project in late 2019.
The river diversion proceeded on schedule starting Oct. 2, but the additional work and COVID-19 delays mean the completion date and additional costs remain uncertain, NDP leader John Horgan acknowledged in his final campaign event in Vancouver Thursday.
This week B.C. Hydro three positive tests for COVID-19 on the site near Fort St. John, and the start of wood debris captured from the river to keep diversion tunnels clear.
Newly sworn in as premier in 2017, Horgan called for the B.C. Utilities Commission to make a rapid review of the project, which by then had $4 billion invested in the long-considered third dam on the Peace River. That review was B次元官网网址渋nconclusive,B次元官网网址� Horgan said, and the NDP government decided to proceed at a projected cost increased by $1 billion to $10.7 billion.
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B.C. HydroB次元官网网址檚 annual report in July 2020 notified the government and public of the latest problems, including delays due to COVID-19 restrictions on the huge job site as well as the new geological issues. Before calling the election, then-energy minister Bruce Ralston appointed former deputy finance and transportation minister Peter Milburn to assess the project again.
B次元官网网址淏ut now we are three and a half years later, and new evidence that was not presented at that time is being examined by Mr. Milburn,B次元官网网址� Horgan said Oct. 22. B次元官网网址淭his is absolutely serious for Hydro ratepayers and for the project. I donB次元官网网址檛 want to diminish it in any way. But I donB次元官网网址檛 know until I hear from the experts whatB次元官网网址檚 the magnitude of the problem, and what steps we need to take to protect British Columbians.B次元官网网址�
In a July progress report to the B.C. Utilities Commission, B.C. Hydro CEO Chris OB次元官网网址橰iley said the combined effects of COVID-19 and a series of construction issues have pushed the cost up by an amount not yet known. Those included changes to the main civil works contract, increased costs of reservoir clearing, power line construction and highway realignment, as well as the latest of a series of legal challenges from the West Moberly First Nations.
B次元官网网址淭owards the end of December 2019, investigations and analysis of geological mapping and monitoring activities completed during construction identified that some foundation enhancements would be required to increase the stability below the powerhouse, spillway and future dam core areas,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橰iley wrote in a letter to BCUC chair David Morton.
tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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