Route selected for St. Thomas Line minimizes impact on landowners, environment – Construct Connect
November 4, 2024
Hydro One has selected Route 3 as the preferred option for the St. Thomas Line project as it impacts fewer environmentally sensitive features, at-risk species and residential properties than any of the other options.
Routes were evaluated based on data from environmental field studies and feedback from local communities to understand the advantages and challenges of each option based on four criteria categories, explained Kathleen McCorriston, vice-president of portfolio management in a media briefing. The categories are natural environment; socio-economic environment; Indigenous culture, values and land use; and technical and cost elements.
“Route 3 scored the highest in all four categories and in feedback we received,” said McCorriston.
“There are still several steps before we arrive at our target construction date in late 2025 and our target in service date of 2027. Following our open houses in November, our next milestone is expected when we develop and release the draft environmental study report to the public for review and comment.”
The approximately 18-kilometre, 230-kilovolt double-circuit St. Thomas Line will power the electric vehicle (EV) battery cell plant owned by PowerCo Canada, a subsidiary of Volkswagen. The plant is expected to create up to 3,000 jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs.
