By Pepper Parr
October 25th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Region of Halton is in talks with Hydro One about burying the hydro cables that are now strung from tower to tower along the Beachway and on up through the city.
The towers are said to be at the end of their natural life cycle which would suggest that if the cable is going to be buried this would be a good time to talk about it.
The cost of burying hydro cables is high and there are concerns that were brought up by the Hydro One operations people about ensuring there is always access to the cable in the event of a problem.
Oil and gas pipeline have access points – something similar would have to be put in place for the hydro lines.
The Region thinks there might be some provincial money available to cover the cost.
At the Regional Council last week Regional Chair Carr said that he and Mayor Meed Ward would write a letter to the senior people at Hydro One and see if they can get some movement on the file.
Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith piped in asking that he be made a part of that letter writing exercise – pointing out that the towers were in his ward. Galbraith is making it clear that he is no “shrinking violet” and is as capable as the Mayor in ensuring that he is at the tables that count.
It is hard to imagine a Burlington skyline without those towers.
If the towers are at their natural end of life, there will be no better time to ask the question. Lets ask it and then deal with the answer.
lower hydro rates is primary need over buried hydro poles. Let’s get covid and our economy back on track before spending more money!!!
Let’s hire needed staff in Zoning and other understaffed departments at City Hall. I emailed a question to Zoning in August and still haven’t received an answer.