As of the end of February 2026:

Phase 1 Progress

Clearing	Access	Foundations	Anchors

Assembly	Erection	Stringing

Phase 2 Progress

Clearing	Access

What’s New:

• Phase 1
  • Primary clearing and access work are now complete, maintenance activities remain ongoing to remove snow for access, and addressing any remaining variances along the right-of-way.
  • Teams are maintaining access roads behind active construction areas, while foundation work and ground testing continue.
  • Other activities include tower assembly, installing grounding systems, erecting towers, and stringing the line as work continues towards Thunder Bay.
• Phase 2
  • Clearing is almost complete.
  • Remaining work includes feller-buncher clearing, hand falling, and burning in the winter work areas, which will be finished before March 31 and ahead of fire season.
  • Access work is underway, with ice bridges and watercourse crossings being installed and maintained until the end of the month.
  • Crews are preparing to begin foundation work, with ground testing underway at several locations including winter work zones, while survey work and environmental inspections continue.
• Celebrating Employee Excellence
  • Randi Onakanakis, one of our block truck workers, received the Safety First Award for proactively clearing snow from access signs after heavy snowfall, improving visibility and helping drivers safely enter project access roads.
  • Project Paramedic, Dan Reilly, delivered an informative AED demonstration during the All Hands Safety Meeting at the Sapawe camp, helping familiarize crews with these life-saving devices.
• Valard Indigenous Relations Advisor, Maggie Kavanaugh, joined community members at the Lac Seul First Nation Annual Winter Pow Wow in celebration of culture,  connection, and the drum. The event gave Maggie the opportunity to reconnect with friends, including Councilor and drummer Darcy Waboose from Long Lake #58 First Nation, reinforcing Valard’s commitment to strong, community-centred relationships.