Keeping communities powered

Pike and Ipiatik Lake Substations and Transmission Line

We provided geotechnical recommendations for the proposed 100-kilometre 240kV transmission line in Northern Alberta. The work involved over 290 tower structures and two substations. Our site investigation equipped the utility with necessary subsurface and groundwater details to design foundations for the tower structures.

To optimize foundation design specific to subsurface soil conditions, we drilled boreholes and conducted cone penetration testing (CPT) at numerous proposed transmission tower locations to characterize site conditions. Soil characteristics were confirmed through downhole and laboratory testing, in addition to the CPT results.

Completing an investigation of this size requires careful planning to efficiently line up people and resources. Throughout the project we interfaced with geotechnical drilling rigs, other utilities, and pipeline representatives to bring in required equipment and gain necessary clearances. Additional coordination with tree fallers was required for the substation areas.

Our recommendations incorporated the requirement for large lateral loads and the presence of muskeg, a wet, acidic soil found in northern climates.