EDMONTON – Construction on the Heartland Transmission Line is complete.
The Heartland Transmission Project team, AltaLink and EPCOR made the announcement Saturday, adding that the line is in operation.
“All the implosions, all the helicopter work is all complete and that’s why we were able to put the project into service today. So there’s now electricity running through those lines,” said Tim LeRiche, a spokesperson with Epcor. “We energized it this afternoon.
“Initially, people may hear some buzzing or some crackling. That will settle down as operation normalize.”
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The 66 kilometre line — which connects the Ellerslie Substation to the Heartland Substation northeast of Edmonton — provides a substantial upgrade to transmission infrastructure in Alberta, project officials said in a media release.
The $596-million project was approved in November 2011, despite much opposition from many Strathcona County residents who were worried about the health impacts of the line.
“The Heartland Transmission Project went through one of the most extensive public consultation processes that’s ever been held in Alberta. And there was a route hearing at the Alberta Utilities Commission, which resulted in the decision to go ahead on the route that was chosen. So the line has been thorough public review,” LeRiche said.
READ MORE: Family files appeal to review approval of Heartland Transmission line
Although construction is complete, LeRiche says residents and businesses near the line should expect to see crews in the area for the next several months.
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