The project advances from an operating federal port with completed feasibility work, an established federal land / water-lot position, a long-standing operating partnership and infrastructure experience. Material regulatory, commercial and financing milestones remain.
| Area | Current position | Investor relevance | Next milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | Feasibility engineering and high-level regulatory screening completed. | Advances the project beyond concept stage. | Advance preliminary / detailed design and update estimate class. |
| Site and land control | BPA owns/manages relevant federal land and water lots; an NB Power easement is required for part of the connection. | Development is anchored within an operating port and established federal land / water-lot framework. | Advance third-party easement arrangements and confirm final project footprint. |
| Regulatory pathway | Phase 2 likely requires a federal impact assessment; Section 82, Fisheries Act and navigation approvals are also relevant. | The principal regulatory pathway has been identified. | Refresh current filing status and advance coordinated permit / assessment strategy. |
| Environmental work | Key marine impacts are identified, including dredging, blasting and fish- habitat effects; baseline studies remain. | Known impact areas can be incorporated into design and permitting work. | Advance baseline studies, mitigation design and offsetting strategy as required. |
| Indigenous engagement | Formal relationship and consultation protocols are in place, with a project- specific MOU. | Creates an established framework for early and ongoing engagement. | Continue consultation and complete project-specific studies / accommodation processes where required. |
| Schedule and procurement | Phase 1 commissioning targets early 2029; Phase 2 early 2033; long-lead procurement precedes major construction. | Phasing creates time to advance approvals and procurement before peak capital deployment. | Refine critical path, procurement strategy and long- lead commitments. |
| Delivery platform | BPA, QSL and engineering partners bring existing port, terminal and major-project experience. | Execution starts from an operating asset base and established operator relationship. | Refine delivery model, contracting strategy and risk allocation. |
| Cost maturity | Current Class D estimate includes 20% design allowance and 12.5% construction contingency; future escalation is excluded. | Estimate maturity and contingency are explicitly identified. | Advance design, procurement strategy and escalation analysis as the schedule matures. |