Telus - Helicopters to be used in the installation of BC TEL fibre optic cable on BC Hydro transmission towers
September 1, 1999

A 23-kilometre stretch along Highway 99 in the Squamish-Whistler corridor will be the site of helicopter activity over the next few weeks as BC TEL contractor crews begin work on a project to string fibre optic communication cable across 51 BC Hydro transmission towers.

The fiber optic cable project is a BC TEL initiative to provide high speed voice, data, video, and other telecommunications services to the area. BC Hydro’s involvement is to provide the design and construction management services.

Neil McNeill, Hydro’s construction contracts manager, says helicopters will be used extensively during the project, and that power disruptions are not expected.

"Two transmission lines serve the area," McNeill said. "We’ll de-energize the one we’re working on during the time work is taking place and the second line will be able to handle the normal demand for electricity on its own. Regardless, we’ll monitor the weather conditions and energy demands closely and if we perceive any serious risk, we will suspend construction activity and have both transmission lines operational."

McNeill explains the helicopters will perform "touch and go" landing procedures on each transmission tower to string the cable. Workers will exit the helicopter to reinforce the tower and attach the cable to the underside of the bridge section on each tower. They will then be transported by the helicopter to the next tower.

The work will be done on 51 towers beginning from a tower just north of the Alice Lake turnoff, proceeding for 23 kilometres to a tower just south of Pinecrest Estates opposite Daisy Lake. Two roadside viewpoints along Highway 99 will also be used for a short period of time during the stringing of the cable. The work is scheduled to begin in September, and be completed early November.

CONTACT: Nadine Cahan, BC Hydro
Public Affairs Coordinator
Phone: (604) 623-3998

Doug Strachan, BC TEL
Media Relations Manager
Phone: (604) 432-2663