Labrador snowmobilers warned about construction near trails

With fresh powder on the ground in Labrador and construction work continuing on the Muskrat Falls project, Nalcor is reminding snowmobilersin the areato be careful while out for a ride.

• Watch out! Nalcor warns snowmobilers about Muskrat Falls construction

Nalcor Vice-president for the Lower Churchill project, Gilbert Bennett,said that work is going onacross significant parts of Labrador to clear the right-of-way for transmission lines from Muskrat Falls to Churchill Falls, and for the link to Forteau.

He said heavy equipment is involved in much of the various work Nalcor is doing in Labrador.

"We're doing excavation, we're using cranes, we're erecting towers, we have helicopter operations going on, and in other places we're doing road construction and right-of-way clearing,"Bennett said.

"People need to be careful not to be too close to that equipment."

He said that the company is not against people snowmobiling and enjoying the area, but it is important to work together to avoid accidents.

It's important that people throughout Labrador understand where our operations are and take appropriate steps to be safe- Nalcor VP Gilbert Bennett

"It really is a question of making sure we coordinate our activities so that people know where we're operating, understand what those hazards are, when we think about our heavy equipment operations, cranes, and so on," Bennett said.

He said signage has been posted in areas where work is being done and Nalcor has interactive construction maps on its website that are frequently updated.

"It's important that people throughout Labrador understand where our operations are and take appropriate steps to be safe," he said.

He hopes that by next winter, work will be nearly completed in Labrador and much of the remaining construction work will be taking place on the island.