Big Becky begins boring under Niagara

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced that the Niagara Tunnel Boring Machine, nicknamed "Big Becky", has begun the 10.4 km journey in her quest to bring additional water from upstream of Niagara Falls to the Sir Adam Beck hydroelectric generating complex at Queenston.

On September 1 Big Becky began digging from the outlet canal at the Sir Adam Beck complex. Moving at an expected average rate of 15 metres per day, this giant rock eater will take almost two years to complete her journey under the City of Niagara Falls to a new intake located at the International Niagara Control Works about 1.5 km upstream from the Horseshoe Falls. After Big Becky finishes her job, it will take another year to complete the installation of the permanent concrete lining and the structures required at the tunnel intake and outlet.

"As Big Becky tunnels forward she will move an average of 6,400 tonnes of rock per day," said Jim Hankinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Power Generation. "By the end of 2009, when the permanent concrete lining has been installed, the water diversion tunnel will supply enough water to our Sir Adam Beck hydroelectric complex to produce an additional 1.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year for Ontario consumers. And about 80 per cent of the excavated rock will be available to make bricks for use in new Ontario homes."

Rotating at four revolutions per minute, Big Becky will work day and night for almost two years digging the 14.4 metre diameter tunnel about 140 metres below the City of Niagara Falls. Fifteen 325 kilowatt variable frequency electric motors will spin the cutterhead, carving out a tunnel more than twice the size of a Toronto subway tunnel. At the same time, her trailing series of conveyor belts will efficiently and methodically carry the excavated rock back out of the tunnel to a storage area where most of it will become feedstock for Ontario's clay brick industry.

"Building this tunnel is another important step towards progress, prosperity and opportunity for the people of Ontario," said Energy Minister Dwight Duncan. "This additional clean, reliable and sustainable supply of electricity is a part of the McGuinty government's balanced plan for Ontario's energy future."

Ontario Power Generation Inc. is an Ontario-based electricity generation company whose principal business is the generation and sale of electricity in Ontario. Our focus is on the efficient production and sale of electricity from our generation assets, while operating in a safe, open and environmentally responsible manner.