May 31, 2012 – SaskPower and Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership say they have have successfully wrapped up clearing a 135-km right-of-way in northern Saskatchewan—roughly the distance from Saskatoon to Prince Albert.

The 90-m wide path runs from Highway 102 near Brabant Lake to Key Lake, and will pave the way for a major new 300-km powerline designed to meet growing electricity demands in the north.

“We are very pleased to work with SaskPower on this important project,” said Russell Roberts, Kitsaki CEO. “More than 250 good-paying northern jobs were created here. Along with that comes support for businesses and other suppliers in the north.”

“A total of 180,000 hours were worked on this project without a single serious injury or lost-time incident,” said SaskPower president and CEO Robert Watson. “This is a tremendous accomplishment, and I would like to congratulate Kitsaki and all of its employees on a job well done.”

Winter clearing of the line began in January 2012 and wrapped up in late April. Fall clearing is expected to start in September 2012, pending Ministry of Environment approval. SaskPower estimates the new transmission line will be complete by the end of 2014.