The following projects are being undertaken to replace old, depreciated assets that have reached the end of their service life.
2023 Projects
Ellendale to Olympia Court Rebuild – Completed
A 5-pole overhead and 160m of underground line rebuild that connects Olympia Court to Ellendale Drive.
Greenhill Avenue Overhead Rebuild – Completed
A 30-pole overhead rebuild started in 2022 and completed in 2023.
Beverly Road Rebuild – Completed
A 10-pole overhead rebuild that began in 2022.
Trout Lake Transformer Station to Tower Drive Overhead Line Rebuild – Completed
A 21 composite pole 44 kV sub-transmission line rebuild through ROW.
Tower Drive Overhead Line Rebuild Part 1 – Completed
A 41 composite and wood pole 44kV sub-transmission line rebuild. This is the first part of a 3-part line rebuild project on Tower Drive, which will span multiple years.
Whitney Avenue Overhead Rebuild – Completed
Project involves the installation of 26 wood poles.
Rancier Street Underground Backlot Elimination Part 2 – Completed
Project was the 3rd phase of a 3-year backlot elimination project where the overhead lines were eliminated, and new underground lines were installed. The total project involved the MacBeth Street, Overholt Avenue and Rancier Street neighbourhood.
2024 Projects
Accelerated High Speed Internet Program – Ongoing
Numerous Make-Ready pole replacements are planned for communication companies, mainly in the rural areas of the city. These projects accommodate the government initiative to have high-speed internet access to every home. These poles are replaced as needed; therefore, complete lines may be reconstructed or only a few poles in a line. This work has started and will be ongoing during the year.
The following projects are currently planned to accommodate the work above.
- Bomark (South) to Berkley – Winter 2024
- Bomark to City Limits – Winter 2024
A ”Make-Ready” project is a project that is undertaken by North Bay Hydro to modify the existing pole infrastructure and conductors and “make them ready” for communication companies to attach their assets. This could include moving up the hydro lines to make more room on existing poles if the poles are tall enough and in good condition or might require the installation of new poles. The assets are typically communication cables and/or boxes.
Highway 11N Sunshine to Berkley Rebuild – Ongoing
A 24-pole line rebuild along Highway 11N.
O’Brien – McKeown to Airport Overhead Line Rebuild – Spring 2024 (See 2025 Projects for updates)
Project involves the installation of 13 composite and wood poles for a 44kV sub-transmission line rebuild.
Aberdeen Avenue Overhead Rebuild – Summer 2024
Project includes the replacement of 45 poles along Aberdeen Avenue
Eugene Road/Gordon Drive/Granite Street Overhead Rebuild – Spring 2024
Project includes the replacement of 30 poles along the listed streets.
MS08 to Prince Edward Drive Overhead Rebuild – Winter 2024
Project involves the replacement of the overhead line between Substation 8 and Prince Edward Drive. The new line will be constructed using 14 composite poles to accommodate a future 44kV sub-transmission line. 9 poles on the Kate Pace Way will also be replaced as part of this work.
Blair Street and Labreche Drive Underground Reconstruction – Spring/Summer 2024 (See 2025 Projects for updates)
Project includes the reconstruction of directly buried underground cables, including 340m of primary cables. This is the second section of a multi-part project to reconstruct underground infrastructure in the area. The new cables will be installed in ducts to provide safer and more resilient infrastructure.
2025 Projects
O’Brien Street Line Rebuild – Summer 2025 – Ongoing
Starting August 12, 2025, North Bay Hydro will begin a full electrical infrastructure rebuild along O’Brien Street, from McKeown Avenue to Airport Road. This capital upgrade aims to improve service reliability, increase system capacity, and support safer maintenance access. The project includes new pole installations, upgraded conductors, transformer replacements, and removal of aging infrastructure. Temporary road closures will be in effect and coordinated with the City of North Bay, with construction expected to be completed by late September.
Blair Street and Labreche Drive Underground Reconstruction – Ongoing
Project includes the reconstruction of directly buried underground cables, including 340m of primary cables. This is the second section of a multi-part project to reconstruct underground infrastructure in the area. The new cables will be installed in ducts to provide safer and more resilient infrastructure.
* Project start/finish dates are subject to change.