New tunnel announced to battle aging infrastructure

- Ontario is strengthening and modernizing Toronto's electricity transmission grid by replacing aging infrastructure and increasing capacity to ensure a reliable electricity supply.

Construction of a 2.4 kilometre long tunnel from Bayview Avenue to Yonge Street is set to begin as part of Hydro One's Midtown Electricity Infrastructure Renewal Project.

A specialized 120 tonne boring machine will start tunnelling this September to make room for six high voltage cables that will carry an additional 100 megawatts of power, enough electricity to power 25,000 homes.

The project will create 30 jobs and will help make Ontario's current energy infrastructure more efficient. Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2014.

Strengthening Ontario's electricity infrastructure is an important part of the McGuinty Government's plan to build a modern, clean, reliable electricity system. This will ensure the province has the electricity it needs to power our homes, schools, hospitals and our economy.

QUICK FACTS -- The tunnel will be 60 meters below the ground and almost 2.4 kilometers long.

-- The midtown power corridor was originally built in the 1920s and the first underground cable in the corridor was laid in the 1950s.

-- The midtown power corridor serves many central neighborhoods in Toronto, including areas north to St. Clair Avenue West, east to Mount Pleasant, south to Queen Street, and west to Jane Street.

The province is rebuilding or replacing approximately 80 percent of its electricity generating fleet while also investing in upgrading and sustaining the power grid.