Harper Corners to Westover (Circuit B5C)

These circuits and equipment have deteriorated and to ensure long term reliability Hydro One is proposing to refurbish this transmission line. This project will ensure the continued reliability and integrity of the transmission lines and electricity supply in the region.

Yes, due to the condition of some structures Hydro One completed priority repairs on 11 structures. The 11 structures were replaced in 2020 to ensure the continued reliability of the transmission supply in the region. An additional five structures will be replaced by the end of 2021 due to similar deteriorated conditions that must be immediately addressed.

The new replacement structures will be taller than the current structures on the right-of-way. This increased height is due to a change in configuration of the circuit wires. Currently the wires are arranged horizontally on the structures. The new wires will be arranged vertically on the poles.

Hydro One has designed an innovative solution to refurbish this vital transmission circuit without the need to build a temporary bypass line.

Project work will include the replacement of aging electrical conductors, wood pole structures, shieldwire, and line hardware. To maintain reliability in the area new structures will be installed within the right of way. The existing circuit will be transferred to these new structures and an additional, temporary circuit will be added for the duration of the project to minimize requirements for outages. The temporary circuit will be removed following the completion of the refurbishment activities. Access to the existing right-of-way will be done by utilizing existing access roads and trails to the most extent possible.

Equipment used for this project will include a variety of construction vehicles including but not limited to bucket trucks, excavators and pick-up trucks.

Work will be undertaken within the existing right-of-way utilizing existing access roads and trails. Should off-corridor access be required, property owners will be engaged prior to accessing private properties. Environmental and technical studies will also be conducted along the ROW to determine engineering and design requirements for the project.

Hydro One will not be installing new gravel access roads. Access roads will utilize wood mats to minimize impact to the surrounding area. Following the completion of construction the wooden mats will be removed.

Hydro One does not plan to utilize helicopters during construction on this project. Work will be competed using ground equipment along the existing right of way.

Hydro One has planned project access and construction to minimize to the most extent possible any damages or loss to crops, however, there is the possibility some damage may occur. In the event of crop loss or damage Hydro One will compensate the owner. Property owners who require more information on this or wish to report crop damages resulting from Hydro One work can contact Community.Relations@HydroOne.com with their information.

There is a requirement for some minor brushing along the existing right of way for Hydro One crews to safely complete this work.

No permanent water crossings are required for this project.

Following the necessary project approvals construction is expected to commence near the beginning of 2023 and will be complete by the end of 2025. Hydro One will notify affected property owners prior to construction.

This project is subject to the Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities (Class EA for MTF) in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The Class EA for MTF is a streamlined process for planning transmission projects that have a predictable range of environmental effects and feasible mitigation measures that can be applied.

Within the Class EA for MTF there are two tiers of assessment (levels) designed to be commensurate with project scale and associated potential for environmental effects. These include: i) Screening Process, and ii) Full Class EA Process.

The Screening Process is a further streamlined process for smaller scale projects with minimal environmental effects (confirmed upon satisfying 16 screening criteria). This project is similar to examples provided within the Class EA document where the Screening Process would typically apply. As such, contingent upon consultation activities and satisfaction of the applicable criteria, it is anticipated that this project will follow the Screening Process.

Interested parties can participate in the Class EA process by providing comments and feedback to the Project Team at Community.Relations@HydroOne.com or 1-877-345-6799.

No permanent water crossings are required for this project.

In 2017, Hydro One completed a Class Environmental Assessment and hosted Community Information Centres for the Burlington to Westover Transmission Line Refurbishment Project. This project involved the line refurbishment of Circuits B5C and B6C between Burlington Transformer Station (TS) and Harper’s Junction (JCT) and the line refurbishment of Circuit B5C between Harper’s JCT and Enbridge Westover Customer Transformer Station (CTS).

The refurbishment work between Burlington TS and Harper’s JCT was completed in February 2019. The refurbishment work between Harper’s Junction and Enbridge Westover CTS has not been completed except for the priority repair of 11 structures in 2020 and five structures planned for priority repair in 2021.

Since completing the Class Environmental Assessment for the Burlington to Westover Transmission Line Refurbishment Project, Hydro One has determined that additional structures will require refurbishment (up to 90 compared to the original 30). Therefore, Hydro One is now initiating a new Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Harper Corners to Westover Transmission Line Refurbishment Project to take into account the additional structures that require refurbishment.

In 2017, only approximately 30 structures were identified for replacement between Harper’s JCT and Enbridge Westover CTS based on the structure conditions at that time. Under the current project Hydro One is planning to replace all the structures along this line section (approximately 90 structures).

The current project will employ a work execution method which will eliminate the need to build a temporary bypass line and allow reliability in the region to be maintained.

Hydro One recently sent a notice of cancellation for the Class Environmental Assessment for the Westover to Copetown Temporary Transmission Line Project.

The original approach for the Burlington to Westover Transmission Line Refurbishment Project required the installation of a new temporary 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line to ensure continuous power to the Enbridge Westover CTS during refurbishment work. This project was called the Westover to Copetown Temporary Transmission Line Project. Hydro One has revised the approach on this work and the remaining refurbishment work between Harper’s JCT and Enbridge Westover CTS will be compelted without the need of a temporary bypass line and the Westover to Copetown Temporary Transmission Line Project is now cancelled. To view the cancellation notice for the Westover to Copetown Temporary Transmission line click here.

Hydro One completed community consultation as a part of the Westover to Copetown Temporary Transmission Line. Based off of feedback and findings of preliminary environmental assessment work done, Hydro One decided not to proceed with that project.