MARY RUTH SNYDER
CAMPBELL RIVER – BC Hydro has announced the company names that have submitted bids for the John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project:
- Aecon-EBC General Partnership
- Barnard Constructors of Canada LP
- FL JHD Constructors General Partnership
The civil work Request For Proposals bid submission deadline was June 15, 2022. BC Hydro plans to award the contract in fall 2022, with the authorization of the contractor to proceed to construction once the project has received all approvals. Project construction at the John Hart site is planned to start in summer 2023.
“We have posted the company names that submitted bids onto BC Bid and at majorprojects.ca,” said Stephen Watson, Stakeholder Engagement Advisor. “The majorprojects.ca web portal, in collaboration with the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce, is a good site for subcontractors to follow this project along, as well as the Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project and the Strathcona Dam Water Discharge Upgrade Projects that are proposed for the Campbell River system.”
Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Ruth Snyder offered insight to the local perspective, “The interest expressed in this project at the local level has been quite high. There is a great deal of work available these days, but I think for at least some contractors, the chance to work on such a long-term project that benefits the community explains the local interest.”
The project upgrades are required to strengthen the dam so that it can continue to operate safely and reliably during normal operation and following a large earthquake. Construction on the dam is expected to begin in 2023 and the upgrades are expected to be complete in 2029. The cost estimate for the project is between $497 million and $822 million. The estimate will be refined as the project progresses.
The key components of the upgrade project are new upstream and downstream earthfill berms, spillway gate and hoist replacement, a new overflow spillway, and an additional water seepage barrier in the middle earth-fill dam. The hydromechanical or spillway gates work will proceed after completion of the civil work.
You will find all the latest updates on the John Hart Dam project at majorprojects.ca and be sure to sign up for the E-Newsletter so you don’t miss the next announcement coming in the autumn.
Visit the Campbell River & District Chamber’s website for more information and follow their social media channels.
Mary Ruth Snyder is Executive Director of the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce