Founded in 1981 by Jim Dooley in the rugged terrain of the Yukon, Arctic Arrow Group emerged with a clear mission: to provide a safe working environment for line construction workers. Over four decades later, the company remains a leader in the line services sector, offering construction and maintenance of distribution and transmission lines across Western Canada and the Western United States. Now under the ownership of Java Group since 2022, Arctic Arrow Group has grown into a vertically integrated operation comprising seven companies, each supporting the others in delivering a wide range of services. “This structure allows us to seamlessly collaborate across projects, ensuring efficiency and quality,” said Patricia Briner, President of Arctic Arrow Group.
Throughout its 43-year history, Arctic Arrow Group has achieved significant milestones, many of which are tied to its unyielding focus on safety. “We have had a largely safe career of 43 years in the company. We’re an industry leader in safety and quality,” Briner noted. The company’s commitment to its core values has driven its expansion into new territories and its ability to secure long-term contracts with well-regarded clients, solidifying its reputation as a trusted name in line construction.
Maintaining success over four decades is no small feat, especially given the volatility of recent years. Briner attributes this achievement to the company’s unwavering commitment to its culture. “We are powered by people,” she emphasized. “We take care of our people, and they take care of our clients and therefore us. We empower our people to make the right decisions on-site to keep themselves safe, get home safe at night, and deliver a quality product for the client in a professional manner.”
“We are powered by people. We take care of our people, and they take care of our clients and therefore us.”
The company’s portfolio of services is expansive, ranging from constructing and maintaining transmission power lines with voltages up to 500kV to building new substations and providing emergency storm response. Recent years have also seen Arctic Arrow Group diversify into renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and solar energy. Briner explained their approach: “We provide EPC construction and consulting for clients, especially during the early stages of projects, helping them estimate costs and assess constructability.”
Sam Dooley, General Foreman at Arctic Arrow Group, highlighted another specialized area of the company’s expertise: energized work. “We complete jobs using specialized and energized work to limit downtime for clients and utilities,” he said, underscoring the company’s commitment to minimizing disruptions while maintaining safety and quality.
Arctic Arrow Group has delivered numerous high-profile projects, including the Blackwater Gold transmission line for Artemis Gold. “This project involved completing around 53 kilometers of new 230kV transmission line along with the foundations and lines, totaling 132 kilometers,” Dooley explained. “The major milestone was completing it within the construction window of approximately five months.” The company also played a critical role in supporting access for the project, as no infrastructure existed when they arrived.
Another notable endeavor was the Buffalo Plains project for Borea, a renewable energy initiative in Vulcan County, Alberta. “This project was unique due to the sensitive native prairie land, croplands, and indigenous territories involved,” said Ryan Budzinski, Director of Central Operations. Despite these challenges, the team delivered the project on time and within budget. Budzinski detailed their efforts: “We procured materials, completed the new construction of 15.5 kilometers of 240kV wood H-frames, and ensured minimal environmental impact.”
The team’s adaptability was also tested during the 40 Mile Project for Res, where they installed 20 kilometers of a new 240kV power line using both steel and wood poles. Budzinski noted the project’s difficulties: “We faced major material delays and a wood pole preservative ban by Environment Canada, which required non-typical construction methods.” Despite these setbacks, the project was completed on schedule, a testament to the company’s resourcefulness.
Winter construction presents its own set of challenges, as the Arctic Arrow Group team encountered on the 40 Mile Project. “The usual challenges of winter terrain were all dealt with here,” Briner explained. “We did it well, and the client is happy with the product.”
Arctic Arrow Group’s long-standing partnership with AltaLink, dating back to 2011, further demonstrates its expertise in transmission construction and maintenance. This collaboration includes providing emergency restoration services and has led to new projects such as the Central East Transfer Out (CETO) project near Red Deer. “This involves approximately 50 kilometers of double circuit 240kV transmission line with a unique, triple C composite core conductor,” Budzinski shared. “We’ve just recently kicked off the project, with work resuming in the fall and continuing into 2025 and 2026.”
Another ongoing project with AltaLink involves a 38-kilometer rebuild of a 138kV line west of Calgary. The team is replacing an aging H-frame structure with steel monopoles, a project that reflects Arctic Arrow Group’s commitment to modernizing critical infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Arctic Arrow Group is optimistic about future opportunities. “We have several projects in oil and gas and are working with ARC Resources on distribution and transmission projects,” Briner said. The company is also engaged with Enbridge on coastal projects and is awaiting confirmation on a large substation and transmission line for a reopened mine.
In addition to its project-based work, Arctic Arrow Group has established itself as a reliable partner for storm response and fire restoration. “This ongoing work requires a specialized workforce and equipment for remote areas, which we like to think we specialize in,” Dooley explained. These services extend beyond Canada to include similar efforts in Washington State.
The company’s relationship with Elk Valley Resources, formerly Teck Mines, underscores its commitment to long-term partnerships. For the past 15 to 20 years, Arctic Arrow Group has provided daily services to the five mines located in the Elk Valley, demonstrating its reliability and adaptability to clients’ evolving needs.
With its strong track record and diverse portfolio, Arctic Arrow Group is poised for continued growth. Budzinski noted, “The future is looking good.” Briner echoed this optimism, predicting a record-breaking revenue year driven by a mix of large projects and expanding opportunities.
As Arctic Arrow Group approaches its fifth decade, its leadership remains focused on maintaining the principles that have guided its success. “This year will probably be our largest revenue year, given we’ve got quite a few large projects on the go, and we look for next year to be even better,” Briner concluded. By staying true to its culture of safety, quality, and people-first values, Arctic Arrow Group is well-positioned to lead the line construction industry into a dynamic and sustainable future.
