BC Hydro is undertaking their Moyie Distribution Project along Highway 3 which is slated to improve power reliability for Moyie and area residents.
To cost $520,000, the project will extend the power distribution line that runs from Cranbrook.
“Right now our distribution line ends at Lumberton,” explained Dianne Tammen, East Kootenay Community Relations with BC Hydro. “We’re extending that distribution line about four kilometres and it will hook up with the line that currently is near the Owl’s Nest RV Resort at the Swansea Bridge.”
Also part of the project, various equipment will be upgraded and installed along the line, which should be completed before the end of 2019.
“Once we have this project complete, we’ll have the capability to switch between our Moyie Substation and our Steeples Substation in Cranbrook,” Tammen told MyEastKootenayNow.com. “We’ll be able to switch some of those customers onto the Steeples Substation in the event of an outage so it’s going to improve the reliability for our customers in Moyie.”
Construction officially got underway in April, although powerline technicians will continue to install new power pole along Highway 3 throughout the remainder of the summer.
Traffic controllers will be in place while the poles are being installed as BC Hydro is asking motorists to slow down near the work zones and to obey any directions from workers on site.