Earthquake upgrades for Vancouver Island dam could cost over $800M
BC Hydro is taking a major step towards seismically upgrading a key Vancouver Island dam.
The energy provider announced it will ask for requests for proposals for a contract to make the massive John Hart dam in Campbell River more safe if a large earthquake strikes.
The project is no small feat.
Construction is expected to run from 2023 until 2029 and cost between $497 million and $822 million.
"The John Hart dam is a key component of BC Hydro’s infrastructure on Vancouver Island," says Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of BC Hydro.
"The upgrades are required to strengthen the dam so that it can continue to operate safely and reliably."
In 2016, BC Hydro was forced to buy out homeowners in the sleepy surf town of Jordan River after discovering its dam above could fail in an earthquake.
Several homeowners were forced to move to higher ground and restrictions have been placed on Capital Regional District land in the area.
A lengthy study found that the Jordan River dam was the most at risk of failure out of all BC Hydro dams in the province.
Repairing damage caused by the potential dam failure would have been so costly it was considered a secondary option to moving the town.
BC Hydro began consultation with community partners and First Nations about the John Hart upgrades back in 2014, but this announcement marks the first major step toward safeguarding the decades-old structure.
The John Hart dam was built in the 1940's. It is about 34 metres tall and more than 800 metres long.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.