Schedule

This is the high-level plan for the completion of the project, from the announcement to construction. To stay updated, please join our e-mail list.

Project Timeline

 

 


Timeline Details


2025 – Project Completion

 

** 2022-2025 – Points of Connectivity (We Are Here)

  • As construction progresses, points of connectivity will begin to go live in a phased approach.
  • The first Northern communities were connected in 2022 and the last group of communities are expected to be fully online in 2025.
  • Construction for much of the marine cable is complete. Crews are still working through the installation of the upland cabinets on the Westcoast of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
  • The marine cable construction will be undertaken in March 2025 in the Southern Gulf Islands.
  • All construction planning and activity are highly dependent on weather and permitting.  The Connected Coast team is adopting a flexible approach to roll out the project as needed.
  • Refining our landing site strategy and enhancing route designs to better serve BC’s coastal communities with new targeted completion date of March 2025.

**  2022-2025 Network Activation (We Are Here)

Testing, commissioning, and activation of fibre optic cables and network equipment components. Activation activity follows this format:

  • Splicing and testing of fibre optic cables at shore ends
  • Configuration of network equipment components
  • Network testing and “burn in” period (reliability, quality assurance)
  • Ready for customers!


**  2021-2025 Project Construction (We Are Here)

Construction of approved backbone infrastructure to begin in a phased approach, in conjunction with permit approvals.
Construction activity generally follows the following format:

  • Landing material delivery to site
  • Pre-construction survey (terrestrial and submarine)
  • Civil Construction (cabinet and pole placement, trenching and conduit placement)
  • Submarine fibre deployment and shore end cable insertion


** 2021-2023 Network Design, Consultation & Permitting (We Are Here)

  • Communication systems
  • Geographical layout
  • Transmission equipment
  • Fibre network
  • Consult with area residents, First Nations, local governments and stakeholders to determine needs, opportunities and areas of environmental concern or sensitivities
  • Begin development of permits, regulatory reporting and begin environmental reviews and approvals

2020 – Procurement & Contract Award 

  • Request of Information (RFI) development
  • Request for Proposal (RFP) development
  • Analysis of proposals
  • Negotiations with preferred design-builder
  • Contract award


Project Funding

  • Contribution Agreements signed between Strathcona Regional District and CityWest
  • Funding approved by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)


Project Scoping

  • Project scope and detailed design work begins
  • Project consultation process begins to be mapped
  • Development of project information and resources


2018 – Project Announcement

Project partners establish project goals, structure and governance

SEE CONNECTED COAST BUILD STATUS MAP >