Hydro One has changed the alternative routes for the new Longwood to Lakeshore transmission lines project.
The project involves constructing two new single-circuit 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines between the Longwood Transformer Station in Strathroy-Caradoc and the Lakeshore Transformer Station in Lakeshore.
Hydro One said they gathered environmental and technical information over the past few months and heard about the significance of agricultural operations and the value of unique environmental features, nearby homes, businesses, and communities.
They also heard there is interest in understanding how the project might affect these areas during construction and when it's operational.
Hydro One said Route 1 has been removed from consideration due to several constraints in its eastern section prior to where it joins Route 2, making it technically unfeasible. They have also made adjustments to the remaining route alternatives to address newly identified technical and environmental constraints.
The utility added there were challenges with routing through an active oil resource area east of Kintyre, located east of Highgate, a new industrial agricultural facility, and proximity to an airport.
Hydro One also noted the routes had to be refined because of updated pipeline location information near Southwest Middlesex that allows Route 3 to be located closer to existing infrastructure, an environmental constraint over a heron colony nesting site near Moraviantown, a technical constraint due to a municipal water pump house east of Tilbury, and to align the transmission lines with the updated design of the Lakeshore Transformer Station.
"Hydro One has conducted field studies, technical analysis, and community and stakeholder consultation. This work has provided us with a more in-depth understanding of the conditions surrounding each of the proposed route alternatives. As a result of these efforts, we have refined the route options based on new information," said Hydro One.
They noted property owners who may be affected by these changes have been contacted directly.
Hydro One said moving forward the updated routes will be evaluated and compared to identify the preferred option. They also expect to announce the preferred route in early to mid-2025.
"The final decision will take into account both the advantages and disadvantages of each route," said the utility.
Community open houses will be held later this month on November 19 at the Comber Community Centre, November 20 at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham, November 27 at the Ekfrid Community Centre in Appin, and November 28 at the Brunner Community Centre in Thamesville.
All of the open houses will be held from 3-7 p.m.
Hydro One noted it's building the new transmission lines to meet the growing power needs of southwestern Ontario, to enhance reliability for homes and businesses, to drive economic growth, and to help create jobs.