BC Hydro at work: Fraser River infrastructure restoration work complete
The 500-kilovolt transmission lines crossing the Fraser River from Surrey to Coquitlam are now energized. BC Hydro crews completed restoration work last week, ahead of schedule, and the lines began transmitting electricity on May 3.
BC Hydro has been working to restore the lines for the last two years. The stability of the lines was affected in the summer of 2011, when accelerated erosion of the river bank on the south side of the river, compromised the foundation of the tower at the edge of the river holding the lines. A neighbouring tower, carrying 230-kilovolt lines, fell into the river.
The new lines use stronger wires that can be strung over longer distances. The wires, for both the 230-kilovolt and 500-kilovolt lines, are held by new, stronger, taller towers that eliminate the need for towers at the edge of the river. The 230-kilovolt lines were successfully energized in December 2011.
