BC Hydro contractor update for Campbell River seismic upgrade projects

December 6, 2023

BC Hydro has received bids from three companies to construct the planned seismic upgrades at the Ladore Dam, and by early 2024, the utility plans to issue a Request For Proposal for the seismic upgrade construction work at the Strathcona Dam. Both capital projects are planned to begin construction in 2025. Construction work for the John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project began in July 2023.

Companies bidding on the Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project include Aecon-EBC General Partnership, F&M Installations Ltd, and Pennecon Industrial Limited.

“We were pleased to get these three bids in October and are in the process of evaluating them and engaging with the bidders,” said Stephen Watson, BC Hydro spokesperson. “We plan to award the contract in spring 2024, with the understanding that the contractor can proceed to construction once the project has received all approvals. Project approvals, including funding, will likely be in place by late fall 2024.”

The successful Ladore Dam general contractor will lead the construction work to build the new spillway gates and hoist system, control and auxiliary buildings, and anchoring the spillway piers to the bedrock.

“The planned seismic upgrade to the Ladore spillway gates will enable the facility to continue to safely pass water downstream following a major earthquake or during a major flood event,” said Watson.

BC Hydro will start the process to obtain a general contractor for the Strathcona Dam Water Discharge Upgrade Project later this year with a Request For Proposal that will be posted on BC Bid.

“The Strathcona project is required to address dam safety risks at the facility and enable the lowering of the reservoir water level after a major earthquake,” said Watson. “The project will significantly improve the overall seismic withstand of the spillway gates, the reliability of the spillway gate system, the power, control and telecommunications, and overall water management operations.”

The Strathcona project also requires regulatory and funding approvals to proceed. Both the Ladore and Strathcona projects are currently moving through the BC Utilities Commission process.

The Ladore project may generate about 60 to 70 jobs per year, and the Strathcona project about 100 to 120 jobs per year, from 2025 to 2028.

Since 2015, BC Hydro has been meeting with First Nations, government agencies and stakeholders on the Ladore and Strathcona projects.

In July 2023, the Aecon-EBC General Partnership started the civil work for the John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project. The project is ramping up with about 130 people currently working at the dam with about 85% of the workers living within 100 km of the site. Many local subcontractors are involved with the project. BC Hydro plans to issue the Request For Proposals for the hydro-mechanical component of the project in 2025. The contractor awarded that work will replace the three spillway gates and related works.

There is an interim downstream risk from a major earthquake until the upgrades at the three dams are all completed by 2030. Vancouver Island is within the most seismically active zone in British Columbia. Since 2014, BC Hydro, the City of Campbell River and the Strathcona Regional District have collaborated to inform the downstream community of the potential interim risk from a major earthquake. This collaboration includes the development of brochures, kiosks and evacuation area maps.

“Public safety is our highest priority, and these projects on the Campbell River hydroelectric system are another example of our commitment to delivering safe and reliable electricity to our customers across the province,” said Watson. “These projects continue to move along as planned.”