Aqueduc—Saraguay project

Thank you for your participation!

We want to express our thanks to everyone who attended our open house meetings on the Aqueduc‑Saraguay project. We were happy to meet you and provide information on the new version of the project to rebuild the line and the substations.

Overview of the project

As part of the work to modernize its power system, Hydro‑Québec planned to rebuild the 18-km stretch of the transmission line between Aqueduc and Saraguay substations at 315 kV and convert three transmission substations to 315 kV. The project was developed to meet the need to ensure the system’s long-term operability and increase its capacity in response to growing demand in this critical corridor on the island of Montréal.

Since 2019, Hydro‑Québec has held a number of information and discussion sessions, including talks with municipal representatives. With the slowdown in its activities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hydro‑Québec undertook to assess and reclassify its major projects.

Revised Aqueduc—Saraguay project

Only two substations will be rebuilt: Rockfield, in Lachine, and Hampstead, which will be renamed the Côte‑Saint‑Luc substation to reflect the area where it is located. The investments in Laurent substation are postponed.

The line will be rebuilt in the existing right-of-way. At specific locations, the route will be optimized based on technical, economic, environmental and social criteria.

Project map

General map showing the three phases of the new Aqueduc–Saraguay project

Continuous improvement

Taking into account the comments, proposals and concerns expressed during the information and consultation sessions with municipal managers, elected officials and working groups, Hydro‑Québec made significant improvements to the project, including:

  • an enhanced visual integration of the infrastructure with next-generation towers that take up less space on the ground, modern building architecture and more
  • a partnership with the city of Montréal to create a green corridor in certain sections of Hydro-Québec’s rights-of-way for better mobility opportunities and access to bike paths and green spaces

Contact us

Info-project line
514 385-8888, extension 3462
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Comparison of new 315‑kV reduced-footprint towers with the “standard” 315‑kV tower and the existing 120‑kV tower

Information by sector

Saint‑Laurent

Saraguay substation

The Saraguay transformer substation is the source substation (i.e., the starting point of the line that will be converted).

Located in an industrial area, it was commissioned in 1959 and currently supplies homes, businesses and industrial operations in Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Dollard-des-Ormeaux and Saint‑Laurent.

Line segment between Saraguay and Hampstead substations

Two 120‑kV lines run from Saraguay substation to Laurent substation and then on to Hampstead substation. One of them will be dismantled and rebuilt at 315 kV.

Map showing the line section to be replaced in the Saint‑Laurent borough

  • Photo of Saraguay substation in the Saint‑Laurent borough
  • View as seen from the intersection of Poirier and Thimens boulevards
  • View as seen from Cavendish Boulevard, near Boisé Marcel‑Laurin
  • View as seen from Cavendish Boulevard, near Côte‑Vertu Boulevard
  • View as seen from Cavendish Boulevard, near Dr.-Frederik-Philips Boulevard

Mont‑Royal

Line segment between Saraguay and Hampstead substations

The current line follows a corridor along Chemin Dalton. It will be dismantled and rebuilt in the same location.

Map showing the line section to be replaced in Ville Mont‑Royal

  • View as seen from Dalton Road

Côte‑des‑Neiges‑Notre‑Dame‑de‑Grâce

Phase 1: Line segment between Saraguay and Hampstead substations

The segment north of Hampstead substation is being studied to optimize the route on Canadian Pacific (CP) property.

Map showing the line section to be replaced in the Côte-des-Neiges sector (phase 1)

Phase 2: Line segment between Hampstead and Rockfield substations

Phase 2 covers the segment south of Hampstead substation. An overhead transmission line operated at 120 kV is currently located in the right-of-way. It will be dismantled and rebuilt at 315 kV on the same route.

Map showing the line section to be replaced in the Notre‑Dame‑de‑Grâce sector (phase 2))

  • View as seen from Robert-Burns Street, in the Notre‑Dame‑de‑Grâce sector

Hampstead

Line segment between Saraguay and Hampstead substations

The proposed optimized line route will run along the periphery of the city of Hampstead. It will cross Canadian Pacific (CP) property over approximately 1 km.

Map showing the line section to be replaced near Hampstead

  • View as seen from Aldred Crescent
  • View as seen from the intersection of Harrow Street and Harrow Crescent

Côte‑Saint‑Luc

Phase 1: Line segment between Saraguay and Hampstead substations

An overhead transmission line operated at 120 kV is currently located in the right-of-way. It will be dismantled and rebuilt at 315 kV. The exact route of this segment in Côte‑Saint‑Luc is being studied in an effort to optimize its path on Canadian Pacific (CP) property.

Phase 1: Hampstead substation

When the reconstruction work is completed, the facilities will be renamed Côte‑Saint‑Luc substation.

Hampstead substation is located in a mixed residential and institutional area, along a railway line. Commissioned in 1955, it supplies homes, businesses and industrial operations in Côte‑Saint‑Luc, Hampstead, Montréal‑Ouest and Côte‑des‑Neiges‑Notre‑Dame‑de‑Grâce.

Hydro‑Québec will build a substation with two buildings that will house almost all the equipment. Landscaping will be carried out at the end of the project.

Phase 2: Line segment between Hampstead and Rockfield substations

Phase 2 covers the segment south of Hampstead substation. An overhead transmission line operated at 120 kV is currently located in the right-of-way. It will be dismantled and rebuilt at 315 kV on the same route.

Map showing the line section to be replaced in Côte Saint‑Luc

  • View as seen from Kildare Road
  • View as seen from Kildare Road (Bialik High School)
  • View as seen from the right of way behind the residences of Merrimac Road
  • View as seen from the intersection of Cavendish boulevard and Fleet Road
  • View as seen from Edgemore Avenue
  • View of the new Côte Saint‑Luc substation as seen from Sabin Street
  • View of the new Côte Saint‑Luc substation as seen from Sabin Street, with a plant screen

Montréal‑Ouest

Line segment between Hampstead and Rockfield substations

An overhead transmission line operated at 120 kV is currently located in the right-of-way. It will be dismantled and rebuilt at 315 kV along a route that is slightly further away from adjacent properties.

Map showing the line section to be replaced in Montréal‑Ouest

  • View as seen from Robert-Burns Street
  • View as seen from Westminster Nord avenue
  • View as seen from Radcliffe Road
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Lachine

Phase 2: Line segment between Hampstead and Rockfield substations

An overhead transmission line operated at 120 kV is currently located in the right-of-way. It will be dismantled and rebuilt at 315 kV on the same route.

Phase 2: Rockfield substation

Rockfield substation is located in an industrial area. Commissioned in 1947, it supplies homes, businesses and industrial operations in Lachine, LaSalle and Montréal‑Ouest.

The 315‑kV substation will be expanded on the neighbouring property reserved for this purpose, and the control building will have a modern architectural style. The design and colours were approved by the Comité consultatif d’urbanisme (CCU) of Lachine.

Phase 3: Line segment between Rockfield and Aqueduc substations

An overhead transmission line operated at 120 kV is currently located in the right-of-way. It will be dismantled and rebuilt at 315 kV on the same route.

Map showing the line section to be replaced in Lachine

  • View as seen from Rolland Avenue

Lasalle

Phase 3: Line segment between Rockfield and Aqueduc substations

An overhead transmission line operated at 120 kV is currently located in the right-of-way. It will be dismantled and rebuilt at 315 kV on the same route.

Phase 3: Aqueduc substation

The line to be converted to 315 kV ends at Aqueduc substation. Currently operating at 315 kV, the substation will be renovated so the new line can be integrated. The work will include the relocation of the towers outside the substation and of the equipment inside the substation.