Oak Avenue Area Project

The Oak Avenue Area Project is a significant capital investment focused on modernizing electrical infrastructure in the residential neighbourhood bounded by Clarkson Street, Windsor Street, Oak Avenue, and Algonquin Avenue. The project is part of Synergy North's ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, reliable, and resilient electricity distribution system for customers throughout Thunder Bay.

The project involves the replacement and upgrade of aging overhead electrical infrastructure serving approximately 117 customers, including St. Pius School and Hammarskjold High School. Planned improvements include the installation of 52 new utility poles, the refurbishment of three existing poles, approximately 3,973 metres of new overhead conductor, and the replacement of eight overhead transformers. In select locations, infrastructure modifications will include new anchors, pole relocations, and the conversion or replacement of existing electrical facilities to improve system performance and reliability.

Designed primarily as a like-for-like asset replacement project, the majority of existing equipment locations will remain unchanged, minimizing impacts to customers and surrounding properties while ensuring compliance with current engineering and safety standards. Where service connection changes are required, Synergy North will work directly with affected customers to coordinate upgrades.

The project also includes vegetation management activities to maintain required clearances around powerlines and support the safe operation of the electrical system.

With a total investment of approximately $2.25 million, the Oak Avenue Area Project represents a long-term investment in the community's electrical infrastructure, improving reliability, enhancing public safety, and ensuring the distribution system is well-positioned to meet future service demands. Construction activities are scheduled to occur in phases, including forestry, surveying, pole installation, and overhead system upgrades, with project completion anticipated by the end of 2026.