Site C construction reaches 100-day mark

FORT ST. JOHN – This week marks 100 days of construction on the Site C Clean Energy Project in northeast B.C. In the first 100 days of construction, work crews have been undertaking site preparation activities, including: clearing trees and vegetation at the dam site, upgrading public roads, building access roads at the dam site, constructing a 1,600-person worker accommodation facility, excavation and slope stabilization and starting work on a temporary construction bridge across the Peace River.

Highlights of the first 100 days of construction include:

• More than 600 people are currently working on the project and this number will continue to increase in the coming years.

• More than 1,000 people and over 200 businesses participated in jobs fairs and business-to-business networking sessions in October in Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd and Fort St. John.

• 900 metres of public road improvements have been completed, with another 1.6 km of roadwork underway.

• Another 15 km of construction access roads are under construction within the dam site area.

• Over 530 hectares of land has been cleared as part of site preparation work.

• Approximately 13,000 m³ of timber has been delivered to local mills for processing.

• More than 1-million m³ of material has been excavated and relocated on the north bank of the dam site.

• A temporary 300-person work camp has been set up on site to house workers while the 1,600-person lodge is constructed.

• The first concrete pour took place for the worker accommodation lodge in October and the first dorms have been delivered to site.

Site preparation is the first step in an almost decade-long construction period for Site C. When the site preparation work is completed in early 2016, construction of the earthfill dam will begin. A contractor for main civil works is expected to be named later this year.

During construction, BC Hydro and its contractors are implementing mitigation measures to avoid or reduce effects on the environment and will comply with all federal and provincial conditions of approval.

Quotes:

Hon. Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review:
“In just over three months, the construction of Site C is already creating jobs and business opportunities for communities and Aboriginal groups, and will continue to do so for almost a decade. Once built, Site C will benefit generations of British Columbians by providing clean, renewable and affordable electricity for more than 100 years.”

Hon. Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure:
“Public road improvements are an important early activity on Site C construction. This work has been progressing very well as our contractor, A.L. Sims and Sons from Prince George, is close to completing its work on 240 and 269 roads. This work will benefit the community by providing roads that are wider, smoother and safer for travel.”

Chris O’Riley, Deputy CEO, BC Hydro:
“We are committed to seeing northern and Aboriginal communities benefit from the construction of Site C through jobs, business opportunities and benefit agreements. That’s why we held local job fairs and business networking sessions early in the construction phase — and we will continue to create opportunities for B.C.’s workers and businesses who want to participate in this historic project.”

Hon. Mike Bernier, MLA, Peace River South:
“Site C is part of a long-term energy vision for our province and I’m very pleased to see construction progressing well in the first 100 days. The timing of Site C construction is also very important as it’s going to provide family-supporting jobs for people in the north. I’m looking forward to seeing construction advance and employment ramp up.”

Pat Pimm, MLA, Peace River North:
“Site C is an important job creator for the Peace region and I’m pleased to see Site C contractors posting all of their positions locally. It’s great to see construction underway and I’m looking forward to seeing more and more local businesses and workers benefit from construction. I’m very proud of the vision and fortitude that our government demonstrated in approving Site C.”

Key Facts:

• As of the end of September, there were approximately 600 people working on the project, including approximately 450 workers from B.C.
• Additional job fairs and business networking sessions are planned for 2016.
• $3.2 billion will be added to the provincial economy from the purchase of goods and services during Site C construction, including $130 million to the regional economy.
• $40 million in tax revenues will be provided to local governments during construction.
• Site C construction activities will contribute $179 million in provincial revenues and $270 million in federal revenues during the construction period.
• A regional legacy benefits agreement will see $2.4 million provided to the Peace River Regional District and its member municipalities for 70 years, indexed to inflation, starting when Site C is operational.
• When Site C is combined with BC Hydro’s $1.7 billion in annual capital investment, an average of $2.4 billion is being invested annually in B.C.’s electrical system

Additional Information

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