Hertel‑New York interconnection line

In spring and summer of 2021, Hydro‑Québec consulted with community representatives, environmental groups, Indigenous communities, property owners affected by the project and residents of the study area. Our goal was to identify their concerns so that we can adjust the project to meet their needs wherever possible.

Between the two variants for the northern portion of the line, we selected the one with the least impact: it runs along Rang Saint-Raphaël, Rang Saint-Claude, Montée Signer, Rang Saint-Marc, Route Édouard-VII and Montée Saint-Jacques, in the municipalities of Saint-Philippe and Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur. This line route has the following advantages:

  • Less homes and businesses
  • Less traffic
  • Availability of bypass roads for construction
  • Shorter route
  • Less technical challenges
  • Land use in the area is more seasonal

The line route selected will cover a distance 56.1 km underground and 1.6 km underwater to reach its interconnection point at the Canada–U.S. border.

The planned line will run along Highway 15 for 24 km and along the rights-of-way of provincial and municipal roads for 29 km. In fact, nearly 94% of the line’s length will be built on roadside rights-of-way. The remainder of the line—a little more than 3 km—will run through residential and farm land as well as Hydro‑Québec property.

The southernmost portion of the line will run along the Ruisseau Fairbanks to the Rivière Richelieu, where the interconnection point with the U.S. power system will be located, at the Canada–U.S. border.

Based on the comments Hydro‑Québec received during consultations, we are currently studying a number of potential mitigation measures:

  • Devise and implement communication mechanisms before and after construction.
  • Optimize the construction schedule based on farming season and constraints in other sectors.
  • Hire a specialized company to manage traffic control and other required services, based on the common uses of the territory and activities carried out in the area.
  • Adjust work methods to limit the impact of road traffic on the natural environment and the quality of life of residents as much as possible.

Over the next few months, we will continue discussions with the representative of the host community to ensure that all concerns have been considered and that construction is strategically planned to keep inconveniences to a minimum.

Environmental studies

From an environmental standpoint, the particularity of an underground line project like the one being studied is that the main impacts on the natural and human environments are temporary and mainly associated with the construction phase. This means that its residual environmental impacts are nil or very limited.

In this type of project, technical considerations are also important (underground space, presence of other infrastructure, clearance, etc.).

To connect Hertel substation to the Canada–U.S. border interconnection point in the Rivière Richelieu while minimizing work-related impacts, Hydro‑Québec considered the following location-related requirements:

  • Run the line along an existing linear axis (road, railway)
  • Preserve woodlands wherever possible
  • Preserve farmland wherever possible
  • Ensure easy access to construction sites
Rivière Richelieu, à Lacolle

Environmental surveys conducted

To determine the route with the least impact, Hydro‑Québec delimited a vast study area of approximately 800 km2 to obtain as much information on the territory as possible.

First, environmental experts conducted a map-based analysis of the study area to identify potential axes that would be suitable for the underground line. Then, over the last year, environmental field surveys were conducted.

The following factors were taken into account in connection with the human environment:

  • Noise and landscape impacts related to the converter installation at Hertel substation
  • Archaeology
  • Electrical and magnetic fields
  • Infrastructure and equipment
  • Built environment
  • Land use
  • Road traffic

The following factors were taken into account in connection with the natural environment:

  • Wetlands and aquatic environments
  • River and stream crossings
  • Fish communities
  • Special-status plant and animal species
  • Invasive exotic species (IES)
  • Forests

Pictures of environmental surveys

Diaporama

The following content countain photos about: environmental studies

  • A pumpkinseed caught in the Rivière Richelieu for characterization purposes and subsequently released.
  • Shore seine-net fishing in the Rivière Richelieu area for fish community characterization purposes.
  • Underwater camera surveys carried out to observe the riverbed and presence of aquatic grass beds and freshwater mussels. This picture shows a recording console.
  • Underwater camera surveys carried out to observe the riverbed and presence of aquatic grass beds and freshwater mussels. This picture shows a ballasted camera.
  • Hoop-net fishing in the Rivière Richelieu area for fish community characterization purposes.
  • Freshwater mussels caught in the Rivière Richelieu for characterization purposes and subsequently released.
  • Example of a river crossing site during environmental surveys conducted along the study area.
  • Common garter snake observed in the study area.
  • Greater fringed gentian observed nearby the highway 15 during environmental surveys conducted in September 2020.
  • Survey of a marshland nearby the highway 15, with alien invasive species such as the common reed and the loosestrife.
  • Intermittent stream with common reed located north of route 202.

Contact us

We’d like to continue the discussion with you. We welcome any questions or comments you might have about the project.

Info-project line:

Montérégie

1 877 653-1139

Email us

Indigenous communities

Katerine Desforges
Advisor – Indigenous Relations

514 289-2211, ext. 3599