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It's a bird... it's a plane... it's a BC Hydro pole

Pole replacements occurring between West Vancouver and Squamish
Blackcomb Helicopters - Rob Munday

Seeing a helicopter above in Squamish often means another Squamish Search and Rescue call underway, but not always.

BC Hydro has been working to replace end-of-life wooden poles on a section of its transmission line between West Vancouver and Squamish.

The project includes the replacement of about 100 transmission poles, the Crown corp told The Chief.

The average lifespan of a wooden power pole is 40 to 50 years, though many last much longer. The new structures are anticipated to have a lifespan of up to 100 years.

"Right now, our crews are just wrapping up a section of work to replace 41 poles south of Squamish," a BC Hydro spokesman said in an email to The Chief.

This section is expected to be completed in mid-October.

Crews began the project about three years ago and expect the project to be completed in late 2021.

Blackcomb Helicopters - Jeff Stebnicki
Blackcomb Helicopters at work with a BC Hydro pole replacement. - Blackcomb Helicopters - Jeff Stebnicki
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