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​​Project overview​

Beginning this fall, EPCOR will be installing approximately 4.4 km of new fibre optic cable from the Rossdale Substation (9469 Rossdale Road) to the Garneau Substation (11117 - 85 Avenue).​

This project will involve:​

  • Installing 1 km of new conduit utilizing horizontal direction drilling (HDD) to connect two existing manholes in the River Valley area (see the green line on Project Map which follows the existing sidewalk path and minimizes soil disturbance).
  • Cleaning and preparing 1 km of existing conduit from the Rossdale Substation to cross under the North Saskatchewan River (see the orange line on the Project Map).
  • Installing 2.4 km of new fibre optic cable underground through existing manholes from the River Valley area to the Garneau substation (see the blue line on the Project Map), as well as installing new fibre optic cable underground in the conduit from the Rossdale Substation under the North Saskatchewan River and through the River Valley area.

Why the project is needed

Fibre optic cables provide a communications link between neighbouring substations and EPCOR's control centre. This enables EPCOR to monitor and remotely control its transmission equipment, communicate with other transmission operators, and ensure the safety and reliability of EPCOR's transmission system.​

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​Project map and schedule

View resources​

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Constr​uction impacts

Read about impacts

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Regulatory p​rocess​​

Learn about process

​​​​  Proje​ct map​

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Schedule

  • Construct​ion will begin in the fall and will be completed in the winter of 2021/2022.
  • Construction will start with the HDD in the river valley area to connect two existing manholes. This will include paralleling the existing paved walking trail to minimize disturbance. We will be installing three hand-pull boxes along this route, which will require excavation of a small area.
  • Once the HDD work is complete, we will prepare the existing river crossing conduit for the new cable.
  • Once the conduit path is prepared, we will complete the fibre optic cable pulling from Rossdale Substation, under the river to the River Valley area on the south side of the river, then to the Garneau Substation. This involves setting up construction equipment at each manhole location to facilitate pulling the cable from one manhole to the other and completing cable terminations and splices at each location.​

​​  Co​nstruction impacts​

Hours of​ work

Typical hours of construction will be from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday. If required, these hours may be extended, and construction may occur during overnight times.

Road​ closures

Roads where crews are working will be reduced to one lane to provide a safe area for crews to work and space for the necessary equipment. Proper signs and barricades will be put up during these temporary lane closures.

Temp​​​orary parking restrictions

Temporary No Parking signs will be put up in areas where crews plan to work. Signs will be removed when the work is complete, typically one to two days later.

Construction no​ise

Since most of the new fibre optic cable will be installed underground through existing manholes, construction noise should be less than noise typically associated with heavy construction.

We will take measures to ensure we comply with the City of Edmonton's Community Standards Bylaw for Noise Control. If it is necessary to temporarily exceed acceptable noise levels, we will work with the City of Edmonton to obtain the necessary permits.

Const​ruction equipment

This type of work requires the use of EPCOR vehicles, reel trailers, a cable winch and a hydrovac truck at certain locations.

Wo​​rk space

All work areas will be safe and secure. All construction activities will be in accordance with the City of Edmonton bylaws, Occupational Health & Safety requirements, and EPCOR's strict health, safety and environment procedures and guidelines.

Po​wer outages

No power outages are anticipated as part of this work.​

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​​  ​Regula​tory process​​

About the Alberta Utilities Commission

Alberta's electrical system is regulated by the AUC. The AUC is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that ensures the delivery of Alberta's utility services takes place in a manner that is fair, responsible and in the public interest.

 ​​For more information about the AUC, please visit the AUC's website.

 Please also se​​e AUC brochure: Participating in the AUC's independent review process.​

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