Built in the 1950s, the Dawn to Parkway System is a 225 km gas pipeline that is the backbone of our natural gas system supporting energy security and economic competitiveness in Ontario and across Canada. It is part of a broader integrated supply network that provides critical energy during peak demand to the electrical grid and serves homes and businesses across 500 municipalities in Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes, and the Northeastern United States.
The pipelines in this system are also the gateway to Canada’s largest integrated underground storage facility and strategic energy reserve, the Dawn Storage Hub. On the coldest days, the gas system carries more than 5X the energy load of the electric grid.
While still in its preliminary planning stages, several current and proposed system enhancements will maintain safety and reliability, enable economic growth, preserve affordability, fortify reliability and energy resiliency, and uphold customer choice.
Proposed integrity and reliability projects:
Project Overview
Enbridge Gas has identified the need to replace certain areas of the Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) 26-inch natural gas pipeline due to integrity and reliability concerns. The NPS 26-inch pipeline is comprised of 14 segments, spanning 225 km. The oldest pipe within the corridor was built in the 1950s and upgraded over time due to increasing neighboring population density.
- Parts of the Dawn Parkway System require integrity renewal, and interim pressure restrictions have reduced capacity. Targeted segment enhancements and three proposed larger projects are intended to restore capacity and maintain the safe, reliable flow of natural gas. Without this work, Enbridge’s ability to deliver the gas our customers need would be constrained.
This pipeline is the gateway to Canada’s largest integrated underground storage facility, the Dawn Storage Hub. On the coldest days, the gas system carries more than five times the energy load of the electric grid. The Dawn Storage Hub serves as a strategic energy reserve and delivers affordability for Ontarians by protecting against market peaks.
In 2024, Enbridge Gas reduced pressure to lower the risk and ensure safe and reliable operations. And in 2025, more than 20 repairs or replacements were completed.
However, while the existing pipeline is still operating within all safety and compliance standards, a longer-term solution is needed.
Enbridge Gas is planning Environmental Assessments for three safety and reliability projects: Dawn to Enniskillen, Kirkwall to Hamilton, and the Guelph Tie-in on Cooper Road in Hamilton. In parallel, Enbridge Gas is advancing smaller localized projects to upgrade and replace sections of the 26” gas pipeline.
The project would be located mainly within the municipal road right-of-way, and may require easements, working space and lay-down areas during construction.
