BACKGROUND
VIDEO
Through its regular inspection program, ENMAX Power has determined that most of the existing wood poles and/or components (including insulators, crossarms and hardware) have reached their anticipated end of life. As a result, ENMAX Power has applied to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to replace and/or relocate a portion of the existing 16.61L (the Project).
Following the initial public notification of the Project in March 2022, and through subsequent stakeholder consultation, ENMAX Power continued to evaluate the Project route and structure combination options. ENMAX Power has applied to the AUC with two potential route options for approval: a preferred route and an alternate route. On January 25, 2023, the Alberta Utilities Commission approved the preferred route: Partial Relocation Route. AUC decision 27474-D01-2023.
Preferred: Partial Relocation Route
The Partial Relocation Route would replace 65 existing wood poles with 66 new structures along the existing alignment through Dalhousie and a new alignment through Brentwood, Charleswood and Collingwood.
ENMAX Power has evaluated two different structure combinations for the Partial Relocation Route: Partial Relocation Route #1a (which would replace the existing wood poles with a combination of 35 wood poles and 31 steel and/or laminated wood structures) and Partial Relocation Route #1b (which would replace the existing wood poles with a combination of 46 steel monopoles and 20 laminated wood structures). ENMAX Power will include details about both of these design options in its pending Facilities Application so that the Commission can make an informed decision on the structure combination that is most appropriate in these particular circumstances.
The route, number of structures and structure locations will be the same for the Partial Relocation Route regardless of structure combination. Beginning at ENMAX No. 16 Substation, structures #1 through #4 and structures A through N would be replaced in approximately their current locations. The route would then turn north at structure #23 and follow Shaganappi Trail NW to structure #28. This route would then run east along the north side of John Laurie Boulevard NW from structure #29 to structure #38. The route would cross from the north to south side of John Laurie Boulevard NW and connect to structure #39. The route will continue east and connect to ENMAX No. 27 Substation. The Partial Relocation Route is approximately 6.3 kilometers in length.
Alternate: Complete Relocation Route
The Complete Relocation Route would require the removal of 65 wood poles along the current alignment in Collingwood, Charleswood, Brentwood, Dalhousie and Varsity and the installation of 70 new structures (68 steel monopoles and 2 laminated wood structures) within a new alignment for nearly all of the route.
Beginning at ENMAX No. 16 Substation, structures #1 through #4 would be replaced in approximately their current locations. The new alignment would continue east along Crowchild Trail NW from structure #5 to structure #14, then turn north and run along Shaganappi Trail NW to structure #28. The route would then run east along the north side of John Laurie Boulevard NW from structure #29 to structure #38. The route would cross from the north to south side of John Laurie Boulevard NW and connect to structure #39. The route will continue east and connect to ENMAX No. 27 Substation. The Complete Relocation Route is approximately 6.8 kilometers in length.