Line gets close
GNWT official 'cautiously optimistic' about progress of Internet cable link
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Monday, March 6, 2017
RADILIH KOE'/FORT GOOD HOPE
Contractors building a fibre optic line down the Mackenzie River valley have about 400 metres left to install in a tricky section - under the Rabbitskin River near Fort Good Hope.
About 120 kilometres of the line needed to be installed this construction season, said Sean Craig, a P3 analyst with the Department of Finance.
As of last week, that figure was down to about 400 metres that will need to be horizontally drilled under the river. That work was expected to begin this past weekend, he said.
"Cautiously optimistic but feeling pretty good," is how Craig described his feeling about being at this stage of the project.
The $82-million Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link will run 1,154 kilometres from Inuvik to McGill Lake, which is 90 kilometres south of Fort Simpson.
The line is a public-private partnership, or P3, project by Northern Lights, a consortium of Northwestel and Ledcor,
A fibre optic cable transmits data through pulses of light. Sections of the fibre line already turned on have brought faster Internet connectivity to some communities along its route.
The project has faced issue with subcontractors, legal action, erosion and logistical issues.
The Rabbitskin River has posed problems for the project, with at least four earlier attempts failing.
On Jan. 30, a drilling hammer became stuck in a 92-metre deep hole, forcing the start of another route under the river.
Craig expressed optimism the drilling work under the river will go as planned.
"We're in bedrock where we want to be, that was always one of the challenges getting down there because there were varying layers as you go down through the Rabbitskin which we've experienced and taken those lessons learned, we're in a good spot to meet (our deadlines)," he said.
Craig said the project remains on budget and on schedule, although a news release from the start of construction indicated the line would be build by mid-2016 and in service by the end of August last year.
The revised target is mid-year.
The Finance Department had floated the idea of drilling under the Rabbitskin River at a shallower depth than originally planned as a backup option if further difficulties were encountered.
Concerns about the plan were raised by the Department of Lands, according to a letter posted to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board registry.
"Due to the prevalence of drilling blow-outs beneath rivers, your request is not supported by this department," states the letter from Katherine Ades, manager of resource management.
At the proposed depth of two to five metres below grade, there would be a greater chance of the pressurized water pushing up to the river where it would disturb the sediment and could affect spawning grounds for fish, Ades stated.
Craig said the department respects the input and drilling will remain at a deeper depth as originally approved.
Northern Lights will maintain and operate the line for 20 years after completion.
