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In June 2024, Hydro One issued a Notice of Commencement for a Class Environmental Assessment for the proposed project. During this process we conducted preliminary planning to identify route alternatives, mapping out local features such as waterbodies, residential areas and environmentally significant areas. Based on that information, we studied two route alternatives for a three-kilometre section of this project.

Based on our studies, Route Option B has been selected as the preferred route. Findings from the Class EA as well as input from community members was used to determine this as the preferred route.

Prior to the Notice of Commencement for the Class Environmental Assessment for the proposed project, we conducted preliminary modelling to identify route alternatives, mapping out local features such as waterbodies, residential areas and environmentally significant areas. Additionally, Hydro One has an existing corridor that allowed for an opportunity to construct a new line utilizing the existing corridor where possible. Based on these opportunities, we only needed to study two proposed route alternatives for a three-kilometre section of this project.

Based on our studies, Route Option B has been selected as the preferred route. Findings from the Class EA as well as input from community members was used to determine this as the preferred route.

Since June 2024, we’ve sought feedback and completed studies to identify and evaluate the two route alternatives to select a preferred route. Input from Indigenous communities, residents, agencies and the public has been crucial, as well as environmental studies and technical considerations to determine a preferred route for the new line.

We used this data to evaluate the route alternatives and select a preferred route that balances four criteria categories: Indigenous culture, values and land use; the natural environment; the socio-economic environments; and technical and cost considerations.

Your feedback is important to the successful development the proposed transmission line. Since the beginning, we heard from residents through meetings, email, phone, workshops, community open houses and surveys and comment forms. The local knowledge we have received about the environment, including the natural and socio-economic environment, helped us to select a route that minimizes adverse effects to the environment.

Our goal is to continue hearing as much local input as possible about the project so that we can work towards building a line that community members and property owners can see their feedback reflected in.

Please provide feedback anytime by contacting Hydro One Community Relations at Community.Relations@HydroOne.com or 1.877.345.6799.

With the selection of a preferred route, we can begin the detailed engineering design, which will influence the size, location and number of towers required, as well as the right-of-way width.

As a trusted builder and operator of transmission lines, we know the typical right-of-way required for a 230-kilovolt transmission line is approximately 46 metres in width. We also anticipate the typical tower footprint will range from 6 metres by 6 metres to 12 metres by 12 metres, depending on the tower design. The typical tower height is influenced by environmental conditions such as topography. We anticipate it will range between 30 metres and 60 metres.

Ontario’s farmers are crucial to our economy. Hydro One works closely with directly affected property owners to minimize disruption during and after construction. The measures we take will be outlined in the final Environmental Study Report. These measures can include using existing access as much as possible, avoiding and protecting tile drains, proactively communicating work activities that may disturb livestock, and consulting on other courses of action.