The proposed 300-kilometre high-voltage transmission line from Sudbury to Barrie is moving forward quickly, and Hydro One has announced its Round 2 Community Consultations for this summer, introducing narrowed-down “Focused Study Areas.” This round of meetings centers on new geographic maps that dictate the specific bands where the transmission line will actually be built. Because the existing infrastructure cannot safely support the weight or electrical clearance of these new 500-kV lines, Hydro One must build entirely new, larger steel structures and widen the existing right-of-way corridor.
For property owners, the lines drawn on these maps this summer will directly determine where massive new towers are placed, which shorelines will face extensive clear-cutting and visual disruption, and where heightened erosion risks could threaten sensitive ecosystems.
Hydro One is hosting eight local, in-person drop-in sessions and two virtual webinars over the summer. If you want to view the localized parcel maps, speak face-to-face with project planners, or voice concerns over tower placement or environmental footprints, look for a meeting near your community:
With the province fast-tracking this infrastructure, Hydro One has outlined the following timeline for the project:
GBA supports the long-term goal of strengthening the provincial electrical grid to support economic growth, but we strongly advocate for responsible development. As this fast-tracked initiative moves forward into its next phase, we will continue to attend upcoming open houses and provide targeted comments—advocating for robust environmental mitigation strategies are locked in to protect ecosystem health and water quality across our affected communities along the route.