Between now and March of 2017, Utilities Kingston will reconstruct overhead pole lines in the Williamsville district that have reached the end of their useful life. The utility is providing this notice to let customers know about power outages, street disruptions and tree trimming that will be needed over the coming months to help facilitate the work.

The project will help ensure the continued safety and reliability of the Kingston Hydro electricity distribution system that is operated and maintained by Utilities Kingston.

The work is part of a capital plan, approved by the Ontario Energy Board in Kingston Hydro’s five-year electricity distribution plan that determined the company’s electricity distribution rates effective January 1, 2016 through to 2020.

The following streets will be affected:

• Division Street, between Concession and Princess
• Adelaide Street, between Division and Alfred
• Stanley Street, between Division and Alfred
• York Street, between Division and Pine
• Chatham Street, between York and Princess
• Linton Street, off Chatham
• Elm Street, between Chatham and Alfred

The work will take place from November 2016 to March 2017. As part of this work, Utilities Kingston will:

• Install new utility poles, reducing the number of poles from 69 to 60 for efficiency.
• Install nearly three kilometres of overhead electric lines.
• Replace 20 transformers.
• Relocate hydro poles to the opposite side of the street on Division Street (between Concession and Pine, and Colborne and Raglan). This will improve safety and allow us to bring equipment up to today’s standards.

The work will also result in improved system redundancy to reduce future power outages. Residents should be prepared for the following disruptions over the coming months:

Power outages

This reconstruction project will require power outages. Utilities Kingston will make every effort to provide as much notice to customers as possible, using news releases, social media and website updates, as appropriate.

Street disruptions

This work will also require lane reductions, lane closures and road closures. The availability of parking may also be reduced at times.

Tree trimming and removals

To maintain proper clearances around power lines for safety reasons, Utilities Kingston will trim or remove some trees. Did you know? For every one tree removed, Kingston Hydro funds the planting of two trees in the city.

If you’re considering new trees or shrubs near power lines, know the right trees to plant in the right place for electrical safety - with information from the Electrical Safety Authority.

For more information, including updates on planned power outages, please call customer service at 613-546-0000.