Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY...

Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel

PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY

May 19, 2011

Bremner Transformer Station and Cable TunnelPROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY

Community MeetingMetro Toronto Convention Centre

North Building, Room 203BMay 19th, 2011, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Please sign in and complete a comment sheet

Project team members are available to discuss the project with youPlease feel free to ask questions

Visit us at www.torontohydro.com/bremnerstationproject

http://www.torontohydro.com/bremnerstationproject

Toronto Hydro

• 100 years of service history

• One of the largest municipal electricity distribution companies in Canada

• Over 700,000 customers, population over 2.5 million

• Peak demand of 5,000 MW( July 2005)

• Over $2.1 billion in assets

• Approx. 1,700 employees


Background and Context - Toronto Hydro-Electric System

• The Bremner Transformer Station is proposed to provide electricity service to a significant part of Toronto’s downtown core

• The station will allow Toronto Hydro to replace aging equipment at Windsor Station with a goal of increasing reliability of supply in Toronto's city centre

Existing Windsor Transformer Station(Corner of John and Wellington Streets)

• The project forms part of Toronto Hydro’s PowerUp capital program – a key investment for reliability of electricity supply

• The station will be built adjacent to Toronto’s landmark Roundhouse building at Bremner Boulevard and Rees Street Proposed Location at 25 Rees Street


Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process

Class EA Process• This project is following the Class EA for Minor

Transmission Facilities, which is approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act

• The Class EA process is an effective way of ensuring that transmission projects that have a predictable range of effects are planned and constructed in a manner that is environmentally acceptable

The purpose of this Public Information Centre is to: • Introduce the Bremner Transformer Station and

Cable Tunnel Class EA; and• Provide the public with the opportunity to review

project information and ask questions directly to the project team

Why is the station required?• A new electricity source is needed to replace

obsolete equipment at the existing Windsor Transformer Station

• Existing customers need to be supplied from a new source first, then the transfer of electricity can proceed

• The project aims to increase reliability and supply in Toronto’s downtown core


Project Area Characteristics

Why this location?

• The proposed location is in close proximity to the existing Windsor Transformer Station

• There are existing underground cables coming from the Windsor Transformer Station that currently supply electricity to this area

• Once constructed, cables from the proposed Bremner Transformer Station will connect directly to existing underground infrastructure

Project Area


Project Area Characteristics

How will the Bremner Transformer station be supplied with electricity?

• A cable tunnel link will be constructed between the Bremner Transformer Station and the existing Hydro One cable tunnel at Lower Simcoe and Front Streets

• Cable tunnel routes and shaft locations will be evaluated as part of this project

• The new cable tunnel is proposed to be approximately 600 metres in length, and 30 metres below the surface of the road

Project Area


Description of the Proposed ProjectThe project includes: • Site preparation;• Disassembly of the Machine Shop;• Construction of the Bremner

Transformer Station;• A new cable tunnel to Lower Simcoe

and Front Streets;• Site landscaping work;• Installation of electrical equipment;

and• Transfer of electricity from Windsor

Station to the Bremner Transformer Station

Increasing reliability to Toronto’s downtown core.• The station will include space provisions for future growth

Interior view of a typical transformer station


Environmental StudiesThe following environmental studies are being completed to identify and reduce

negative environmental effects throughout construction and operation:

1. Noise and Vibration Assessment• Noise and vibration forecasts are being assessed for the construction and operation of

this project. If required, mitigation measures will be employed as per the Ministry of the Environments’ noise guidelines

2. Human Health Impact Assessment• Electromagnetic Field levels are being analyzed to identify exposure amounts and any

mitigation measures needed to ensure safe limits

3. Heritage Impact Assessment• The machine shop structure adjacent to the Roundhouse will be preserved to uphold

its cultural and heritage value

4. Internal Vehicular Operations• Toronto Hydro is working with local stakeholders, businesses and the City of Toronto

to develop a short and long term strategy for traffic movement on site


Description of the Proposed Transformer Station – Option 1

Looking North from Rees St. and Lake Shore Blvd. - Before Looking North from Rees St. and Lake Shore Blvd. - After

Looking South from Bremner Blvd. and Rees St. - Before

Looking South from Bremner Blvd. and Rees St. - After


Description of the Proposed Transformer Station – Option 2

Looking Northeast from Lake Shore Blvd. and Rees St. - After

Looking North from Rees St. and Lake Shore Blvd. - Before Looking South from Bremner Blvd. and Rees St. - Before


Next StepsNext steps in the Class EA process include:

• An Environmental Project Report will be prepared and made available at specified locations for a 30-day public review period

• Subject to necessary approvals, Toronto Hydro intends to proceed with the planning, design and construction of the Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel

• Subject to necessary approvals, the intent is to begin construction in Fall 2011

Please submit and complete a comment sheet or feel free to contact one of the project representatives below. Comments will be incorporated into the project record and used to assist Toronto Hydro in the planning, design and construction of this project.

Suzanne R. Yelle, P. Eng., ingManager, ConstructionMajor Turnkey Projects,Toronto Hydro14 Carlton StreetToronto, ON M5B 1K5Phone: 416-542-3364Email: [email protected]

Andreas Houlios, B.E.S. Hons.Environmental PlannerIBI GroupSuite 200, East Wing360 James Street NorthHamilton, ON L8L 1H5Phone: 905-546-1010 ext. 2209Email: [email protected]

Pam Foster, M. Pl., MCIP, RPPSenior PlannerPlanning & Environmental DesignMMM Group Limited100 Commerce Valley Drive WestThornhill, ON M5B 1K5Phone: 905-882-4211 ext. 2244Email: [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]



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