BC Hydro is moving into a preparatory phase for the Victoria–Saanich transmission cable replacement, a project that touches key corridors across Saanich and Greater Victoria and underpins electricity service for roughly 140,000 customers.
Inspections begin Aug. 4; small digs planned
Starting Aug. 4, crews will carry out pre-construction investigations at more than 100 locations along the 7.4-kilometre underground route that links the Goward Substation (near Camosun College) with the Horsey Substation in Victoria. That work, expected to continue for up to three months, will include assessing ground conditions, locating underground utilities and removing small sections of asphalt where required. Disturbed surfaces will be restored after investigations are complete.
BC Hydro says the information gathered will be used to finalise the design and placement of the new cable system and to reduce the risk of surprises once major construction begins.
“The information gathered during the investigations will help confirm underground conditions and reduce the risk of delays when construction begins.”
Route, timing and municipal coordination
The existing cable, installed in 1976, runs along corridors familiar to many Saanich residents — including parts of Interurban Road and Burnside Road — and follows Alpha Street, Douglas Street and Summit Avenue en route to Victoria. BC Hydro says it has worked closely with the cities of Victoria and Saanich to develop traffic-management plans and to minimise community impacts; some investigation work and future construction will take place at night to ease daytime congestion.
- Route length: 7.4 kilometres
- Customers served: about 140,000 in Greater Victoria
- Pre-construction start: Aug. 4 (up to three months)
- Construction window: could begin as early as summer 2027 and is expected to take approximately three years
What residents should expect
During the pre-construction phase, residents and commuters may see short-term, localised asphalt removals for test pits and utility locates. BC Hydro has indicated that night work will be used where possible to reduce traffic disruption and impacts on neighbourhoods. The utility plans to host public open houses this fall with dates and locations to be announced and will post updates at bchydro.com/victoriatosaanich.
| Activity | Timing |
|---|---|
| Pre-construction investigations | From Aug. 4, up to three months |
| Major construction | Could begin summer 2027, ~three years |
The replacement follows another regional cable project — the Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project — which is currently under construction and expected to be energised this fall. For Saanich, the work represents both short-term inconvenience and long-term investment in the electrical backbone that serves homes, businesses and institutions across the municipality.
Residents seeking the latest notices or details about traffic management plans should consult BC Hydro's project page or look out for the public open-house announcements this autumn.
