Bridge River Transmission Project

We're working to renew the Bridge River electricity system, which is about 300 kilometres north of Vancouver and in the Traditional Territory of the St'át'imc Nation. The system consists of the La Joie Dam and Powerhouse (Downton Reservoir), Bridge 1 and 2 Powerhouses (Terzaghi Dam and Carpenter Reservoir) and Seton Dam and Powerhouse (Seton Lake).

We're making a significant investment in these 63 to 75-year-old facilities, whose proximity to the Lower Mainland helps us operate more efficiently.

The purpose of the Bridge River Transmission Project is to improve the reliability and safety of the Bridge River transmission system by eliminating system constraints and increasing its capacity to move electricity from where it's produced to other parts of the province.

This project involves upgrades to a number of transmission wood pole structures (approximately 150 identified at this time) and raising the height of an existing transmission line 2L90 in several sections between Kelly Lake Substation and Bridge River Terminal Station (see map below) within existing BC Hydro rights-of-way (ROW, the land under and around our power lines).

Work will also include upgrades to existing access roads and the creation of some new roads and helipads to access the structures.
 

Overview map of Bridge River transmission project

Select the project map [JPG, 1.1 MB] to view it at a larger size.

For more information about our other Bridge River System capital projects, visit bchydro.com/bridgeriver.

These upgrades will improve the reliability and safety of the system and increase its capacity to move electricity from where it's produced to other parts of the province.

A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) was filed with the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) in July 2021.

We are notifying and consulting all First Nations whose territory is being impacted by this project.

St'át'imc Nation

In 2011, St'át'imc Nation and BC Hydro signed a historic set of settlement agreements to address all past, present, and future impacts related to the existing infrastructure in their territory. Those agreements guide our relationship today and provide a framework for how we'll continue to work together into the future.

We're committed to maintaining a relationship with the St'át'imc Nation that is built on respect and understanding. We're working together to incorporate St'át'imc interests into our project planning and implementation and create economic opportunities for St'át'imc businesses and people to be part of our projects and ongoing operations.

Stakeholders

Engagement and consultation with stakeholders including local governments, residents and businesses located near the project are a key part of the process.

Communications and updates come through various channels including:

• Public presentations to the District of Lillooet and Squamish Lillooet Regional District
• Open houses at key project milestones
• Local ads
• Articles in the bi-annual Bridge River newsletter
• Project website
• BC Hydro social media posts
• Notifications to area residents

We recognize our work can have impacts. That's why we commissioned the Bridge River Access and Accommodation Study as part of our upcoming capital project work in the Bridge River System, happening over the next 10 to 15 years.

This comprehensive study developed a list of options, identified potential impacts and other considerations like cost and safety, and provided recommendations addressing construction traffic, worker access routes and temporary work camp locations for the Bridge River System projects.

We're pleased to share with you the report highlights [PDF, 2.1 MB] as well as the full report [PDF, 168 MB].

The recommendations in the report will need further evaluation.

We thank respondents for participating in the study. Your input will continue to be used as we move further into project planning.

Main construction activities on the Bridge River Transmission Project are expected to begin in fall 2026 and continue through to 2029.

Our worker forecast for the Bridge River Transmission Project shows a peak of approximately 38 workers generally during the spring and fall periods of construction.
 

View the image [JPG, 107 KB] at a larger size.

This worker forecast was created in April 2025 and is updated as needed.