The Lethbridge River Valley. Photo taken July 2020. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

City to begin work on electrical system through coulees Thursday

Sep 16, 2020 | 12:42 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – If you happen to see helicopters flying around the river valley over the next month, there is no cause for concern.

The City of Lethbridge says crews are set to begin work on upgrading the electrical connections across the Old Man River on Thursday, September 17.

They will start by installing pipes to house electrical cables under the river just south of the Highway 3 bridge.

“Due to restrictions on overhead lines over waterways, building an underground system is the simplest approach. Currently, there is one other crossing for electrical lines near the Whoop-Up Bridge,” reads a press release from the city.

This work is expected to wrap up at the end of October, weather permitting.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Then, starting on Monday, September 21, AltaLink will conduct maintenance on the transmission line running from the north side substation on Stafford Drive North to the Coalbanks substation south of Whoop-Up Drive. This should wrap up on Thursday, November 5.

The transmission line is contained mostly within the coulee area.

The work includes using helicopters frequently during business hours.

There are no planned power outages connected to either of these projects.