Construction on the power lines between Davis Bay and Xenichen Avenue began last week and with it delays on Highway 101.
Weather permitting, BC Hydro crews plan to work steadily through the next two months to get the job done, a spokesman said.
"The target date is still the end of June," said Jeff Scherer, field services manager for BC Hydro. "We want to be off before summer holidays."
According to BC Hydro, the Coast is outgrowing the current power load available so about 100 poles are being replaced with taller ones that will host dual circuits to increase capacity at a cost of about $1 million.
Some citizens voiced concerns about potential delays on the highway at a public meeting in March. Now that the work has begun, Scherer reiterated a commitment that BC Hydro's two crews and the flagging contractor will do what they can to keep the project and traffic moving swiftly.
"If they can try to keep two or one reasonable lane open they will," Scherer said.
Hours suggested back in March have changed. Initially, work was going to occur Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, Scherer altered it to allow crews flexibility to put in longer days. Crews are O.K.ed to work Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"They could potentially work those shifts to get things done. It depends on how tired they are. They may not choose to work that time," he said.
Scherer said there will be no work on the project during the May long weekend.
