Hydro One dig on hold for Santa

Boring machine removal on Oct. 29.

Hydro One contract Dibco Underground will not be working in the vicinity of the Flatiron building on the weekend of the Santa Claus parade, confirms Hydro One’s senior advisor of corporate relations Carrie-Lynn Ognibene.

“We’ll ensure that our shaft location near the Flatiron (the ‘boob tube’) is secure for this event,” Ognibene promises.

The tunnel boring at the core of the project has been completed, she continues. “It took about a year to bore from the Esplanade Transformer Station to John TS, a distance of about 2 kilometres.”

The tunnel boring machine was pulled from the depths of John Street (beside the CBC Broadcast Centre) on Oct. 29.

The next phase of the project is to line the tunnel with concrete.

“Our contractor was to start the concrete work [Nov. 10] at the shaft on Frederick Street, north of the Esplanade.  Earlier this week our contractor provided notification via flyers to nearby residents.  We’ll be at this location for about a week to 10 days.  Then work will progress to the west, to the shaft on Front Street just east of Jarvis, the Flatiron site, and subsequently to shafts near the Hockey Hall of Fame and at University and Front Streets.”

If the project remains on schedule, Ognibene reports that the work crews will be at the Flatiron site until early December. A more accurate timeline will be provided to area residents and business owners as the work progresses.    

“Our contractor will provide notification to nearby businesses and residents prior to beginning concrete pouring at each location.  We’re hoping to have the concrete lining poured by the end of the year,” Ognibene concludes.