Construction work has transitioned from preparation to installation at the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project.

Vern Cochran with Missouri River Energy Services says the first parts of the new turbine have been installed.

“We’ve completed the staging or the structural enhancements of the reservoir, so now we’ve got our excavation dug and we were actually able to install the first two major components of the hydro turbines themselves that will be generating electricity,” he says.

Cochran says the move represents a significant milestone after years of preparation. He says there is more installation work to come this year.

Overall, the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project is expected to be complete in the second half of 2018.