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Tunnels blasted for $1.1-billion Campbell River power plant

Construction crews are blasting and digging through rock to carve the first two tunnels for the $1.093-billion John Hart Generating Station project near Campbell River.
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Rock excavators begin burrowing tunnels that will replace water pipelines.

Construction crews are blasting and digging through rock to carve the first two tunnels for the $1.093-billion John Hart Generating Station project near Campbell River.

About 300,000 cubic metres of rock — the equivalent of 120 Olympic-sized swimming pools — will be hauled out of the tunnels over the next three years.

Spring will likely see the start of construction on the main 2.1-kilometre-long tunnel that will carry water for the generating station, said Stephen Watson, B.C. Hydro spokesman. With a diameter of 8..5 metres, it will run from the John Hart Dam to the generating station and then another 600 metres to the Campbell River.

Crews are 10 metres into the entrance of a service tunnel south of the new generating station. A main access tunnel to the north is also underway.

InPower B.C., owned by SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., was hired by Hydro in 2014 to build the replacement for the 68-year-old generating station. The project is on schedule to be in service by fall 2018, said Watson.

The original generating station was built in 1947 and is unlikely to withstand a moderate earthquake. Its six generating units are in poor condition and its electrical output is declining.

Also, 95 per cent of the lower Campbell River comes out of the generating station. A new bypass is being built to make sure flows will continue to sustain fish and fish habitat in the event of a shut-down.

The existing generating station supplies power to 74,000 homes. Once in service, the new facility will serve 80,000 homes.

The rock excavated from the tunnels will be used on site and will also be available to nearby First Nations for construction projects, Watson said.

More than 50 local companies have delivered services or supplies so far, Watson said.

About 30 people are working in project management in such areas as engineering and safety. Another 155 are on site employed by sub-contractors.