Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government is planning to reduce the boundaries of a buffer corridor along the Northwest GTA Transmission Line by 40 per cent and release lands “that are no longer required for protection.”
The proposed corridor adjacent to Highway 413, a 52-kilometre highway being built in the western GTA, is based on a study launched in 2019 to identify a route for future transmission infrastructure.
The refined corridor reflects technical analysis to identify the narrowest path capable of supporting both 230 kV and 500 kV transmission lines, while preserving flexibility for future transmission designs, the province said in a statement.
“The study prioritized co-location with Highway 413, minimizing impacts on natural areas, and avoiding built-up communities.”
This proposal is available for comment on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. The Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Transportation are finalizing land use plans and the route alignment for Highway 413 and will release surplus lands available for housing in September.
“Our government is fighting gridlock by building Highway 413, which will provide much-needed relief along one of the busiest highway corridors in North America,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation.
“Aligning the Northwest GTA Transmission Corridor with Highway 413 means we’re keeping Ontarians moving while meeting electricity demand for generations to come.”
