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Hydro is still working out how to deal with an abandoned gas well that was uncovered on the south bank. It is also assessing the archeological (meaning First Nations) impact of the proposed rerouting of Highway 29 on the north bank. Meanwhile, local residents are being cautioned about heavy truck traffic hauling rip-rap from area quarries.

“Day, night and weekend shifts are anticipated for the duration of the project,” concluded the update, underscoring the irony that the New Democrats have allowed construction to proceed even as they consider whether to undo all of it by killing the project outright.

Photo by B.C. Hydro

The aforementioned “duration of the project” might be no longer than the end of the year, Premier John Horgan having signalled this week that the cabinet will make the final call later this month or early next.

But if killing the project really is a possibility — many would say a “likelihood” — why go on spending money at the rate of $60 million a month while you prepare to slam on the brakes and throw the whole thing in reverse?

One imagines the resulting Un-Construction update from the Site C project team. River banks restored. Tunnels filled in. Machine shop dismantled. Heavy trucks hauling all that rip-rap back to the quarry.

Still, give Horgan and the New Democrats credit for keeping an open mind. Their partners in power-sharing, the Greens, wanted Site C killed on day one.

As to what happens next, the New Democrats put out a brief statement in anticipation of Wednesday’s release from the commission: “Government will take the time necessary to fully review the BCUC’s findings and other issues outside the scope of the review. Government will also engage further with First Nations.”