THUNDER BAY — Hydro One has chosen the contractor for the construction of the new Waasigan Transmission Line between Thunder Bay, Atikokan and Dryden.
The engineering, procurement and construction contract has been awarded to Valard Construction LP.
Valard was also the general contractor in the construction of the East-West Tie transmission line between Wawa and Thunder Bay, which was completed last year.
"With their strong history of building electrical infrastructure projects in Ontario, we are confident that Valard is well-positioned to design, build and deliver the Waasigan Transmission Line," said Andrew Spencer, an executive vice-president with Hydro One.
"Aligned with Hydro One's procurement policy for Indigenous sourcing, a large portion of the Waasigan Transmission Line will include the purchase of goods and services from qualified Indigenous businesses as subcontractors to Valard."
Spencer added that Valard's experience in Indigenous engagement will help in the achievement of the utility's commitment to source five per cent of all its purchases of materials and services from Indigenous businesses by 2026.
The Waasigan project is a 50/50 equity partnership between Hydro One and nine First Nations.
Tom Johnson, president of Gwayakocchigewin LP, which represents eight of the First Nations, said its goal is to achieve meaningful economic participation for its members while protecting lands, waters and cultural values that could be impacted by the project.
Hydro One continues to conduct an environmental assessment (EA) for the project before determining the transmission line's final route, but the current preferred route parallels an existing transmission line.
The utility expects to submit the final EA to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks in the coming months, and hopes to receive approval from the Ontario Energy Board next year to begin construction.
— NWOnewswatch
