FortisAlberta wants to rebuild 6.3 kilometres of power lines later this year along Highways 1A and 1X, moving existing lines off a golf course and out of the area.
The proposal is to salvage and install electric distribution facilities east of Exshaw that would run new lines on the north side of the 1A and east side of 1X, to near the Seebe dam.
A request for the work’s approval was issued by a FortisAlberta delegation at the Municipal District of Bighorn council meeting on Feb. 14, where they said realignment would make it easier for roadside access to the lines for maintenance crews.
“A big driver is safety,” said Mick Stephens, project manager at FortisAlberta. “We don’t have to worry about getting across cross-country terrain.”
The existing power lines run cross-country, including through Brewster’s Kananaskis Ranch Golf Courses and via low-hanging lines near Graymont at Exshaw.
“We’re moving the power lines off the golf course and the low lines by Graymont will be gone,” said Stephens.
The FortisAlberta delegation added new lines along the highway would benefit the community as it would improve on electrical reliability.
“Reliability is a big deal as to why we want to do this,” said Abdul Zahabi, design specialist/technologist. “Moving down to the road would mean quicker restoration response time.
“The only downside to this project is the power lines would be visible from the highway.”
Should the work be approved, FortisAlberta would likely begin work towards the end of the year to restrict wildlife and environmental impact.
Reeve Dene Cooper said the realignment would be a “smart move” for the MD.
Along with the MD, Fortis has met with Alberta Parks, Brewster, Graymont, AltaLink and is investigating whether First Nations consolidation on the project is needed.
Requests for a meeting with Alberta Transportation had not received a reply as of Feb. 14.
