8 month rebuild delivered in 4—when the power can’t be out

BC Hydro 2L22 Emergency Restoration Project

When the Fraser River flooded, a transmission tower collapsed, sending a section of 230 kilovolt line into the river. Power was out in Coquitlam and Surrey and transportation along the river ground to a halt. BC Hydro needed a solution—fast. We developed a lasting solution, and we did it quickly.

From an extremely aggressive engineering schedule, constrained supplier support and material availability, and diverse logistical and construction challenges posed by the area’s active civilian and commercial traffic—we had our work cut out for us. Complicating matters were the expansive river crossing span and the demanding terrain.

We designed the emergency restoration using three different conductors, including special 3M ACCR. We performed ground improvement at a new site, ensuring the new tower could survive a one in 2,475 year return event earthquake. We even used environmentally friendly FRP poles when the line was in close proximity to residential areas.

Our flexible approach and local expertise restored the power, restored transportation in the region, and we did it in four months instead of eight.