Hunter River area residents given power options

Central Queens residents are at a fork in the road with possible route options for new high voltage electrical lines.

Maritime Electric presented two potential routes for the installation of new 69 kV transmission lines and a New Glasgow substation during a public information session Thursday at Central Queens United Church. Residents will now have 10 days to provide written or emailed feedback on their preferred route as part of an environmental impact assessment. Maritime Electric CEO and president John Gaudet said the preferred route is about 4.5 km long and runs mostly within existing right of ways along Route 2.

It would begin at the intersection of the existing T1 transmission line in Hazel Grove before running northeast.

“It’s been met with approval by almost everybody, it’s not a very populated route and there’s not a lot of tree work required, so it seems to be in that sweet spot,” said Gaudet.

An alternate route begins at the cross point of the existing T1 transmission line on the Smith Road and continues northeast approximately 7.8 km until St. Patrick’s Road. Kim Griffin, manager of corporate communications, said the alternate route is predominantly cross-country on privately owned land.

She said the preferred route would minimize environmental impact, since the area is already disturbed.

“It’s also very easy to access and it’s shorter,” said Griffin. “The alternate route is all cross country, it’s quite a bit longer and there’s a fair amount of trees.”

The project got off to a controversial start last spring when residents of the original route on Millvale Road opposed the project over a number of concerns, including the close proximity of the lines to a number of homes.

That led to residents forming a community group and presenting two alternate route options to Maritime Electric later in early June. One of those options was the alternate route. Gaudet said the preferred route was a compromise after looking at all possible options.