We are about to see a big increase in large truck and heavy equipment traffic here in the southeast. According to Bruce Owen of Manitoba Hydro, they have received approval to start building the Manitoba-Minnesota transmission line.

"The National Energy Board has approved our request to begin construction on the project as of last Thursday. And, as a result, almost immediately, we hit the ground running, us and the two contractors who are involved in the two sections of building the line."

Owen says the first task is to build a construction camp just west of the La Broquerie fire hall that will house up to 265 workers.

"First, a work camp has to be built. You'll see trailers and equipment moving into there to start construction, building that work camp. You'll also notice that materials that have been purchased to build the line, to help with the foundations of the towers, for line right-of way-clearing and for the tower steel, will be transported into position."

Owen also says right-of-way clearing for the power line will begin next Monday as will the set-up for two helicopter yards where towers will be assembled before being transported and hoisted into position.

Manitoba Hydro hopes to have the line in service by early next summer.

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Construction Camp To Be Built In La Broquerie