Hydro One is investing more than $2 million this year to upgrade its transmission lines in the Kenora District, to improve service reliability and strengthen the existing infrastructure supporting Ontario's province-wide transmission system.

The work includes replacing more than 50 poles in the area from the Pellican Pouch region west of Kenora, and extending to Kenora. Some of the transmission line follows a route through dense bush and forest, requiring specialized equipment.

Crews have already begun replacing cross arms and hydro poles along 15 km of lines, using helicopters to bring new poles to the work sites, and employing large bucket trucks to install the 27-m tall poles and 900-lb steel cross arms.

"We have made improvements to our Kenora Transmission Corridor an important focus in recent years," said Myles D'Arcey, Senior Vice President Customer Operations, Hydro One. "Our ongoing investments in upgrading and maintaining the electricity infrastructure in Kenora District are part of Hydro One's commitment to investing in our system and providing a high level of service for our customers in Northwestern Ontario."

The work began in mid-January and is expected to be completed later this month. Another major work program will then get underway, east of Kenora to Willard Lake, and continue to the end of April.