Enbridge Gas must relocate and construct a segment of its 20-inch high-pressure steel natural gas pipeline and related infrastructure in Toronto’s Port Lands in support of Waterfront Toronto’s Port Lands Flood Protection Enabling Infrastructure Project.
This pipeline is part of the Kipling Oshawa Loop (KOL) that provides natural gas service to downtown Toronto, including customers such as hospitals and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport that depend on reliable energy sources for daily operations.
Relocation and construction of the pipeline will be completed in two phases:
- Phase I: construction of an above-ground temporary bypass of the pipeline on the sidewalk south of the new Lake Shore Bridge over the Don River at Lake Shore Boulevard East and Don Roadway (approx. 209 metres).
- Phase II: relocate the pipeline from its temporary location to its permanent location on the north side of the Keating Railway Bridge within a new utility corridor (approx. 166 metres).
Project status/timeline
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Feasibility
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Environmental studies
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Regulatory review
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Regulatory approval
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Under construction
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In-service
Project status/timeline
-
Feasibility
-
Environmental studies
-
Regulatory review
-
Regulatory approval
-
Under construction
-
In-service
Project information
Project updates
A Leave to Construct (LTC) application was filed with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) on Feb. 24, 2022 and the notice of approval was provided to Enbridge Gas from the OEB on July 7, 2022.
Construction began in June 2023 and the pipeline is expected to be fully in-service by the end of 2024.
Periodic traffic lane reductions in the area of Don Roadway and Lake Shore Boulevard East are required to accommodate this work. These traffic restrictions are subject to change and will be updated here once confirmed.
- From October 13 to 23 2023, one westbound lane of Lake Shore Boulevard East, west of Cherry Street, will be periodically occupied.
- From October 16 to 19, 2023, Lake Shore Boulevard East will be reduced to one lane in each direction at Don Roadway.
- From October 16 to 22, 2023, Don Roadway will have reduced lanes north of Lake Shore Boulevard East.
- From October 19 to 22, Lake Shore Boulevard East will be reduced to one shared lane for eastbound and westbound traffic.
Project calendar
The tasks and timelines for the project are presented below:
| Task | Undertakings | Proposed Timeline/Date |
|---|---|---|
| Selection of the new location for the pipeline | Enbridge Gas assessment of current and future network demand. System analysis and network design confirms potential locations. | 2018-2021 |
| Consultation | Meetings and / or correspondence with provincial and municipal representatives and agencies, and other key stakeholders Received input from stakeholders to influence the Environmental Report. |
Fall 2021 |
| Preparation of Environmental Report | Prepared the Environmental Report based on collected data. Report includes impact assessment, and mitigation recommendations. | Fall 2021 |
| Circulation to Ontario Pipelines Coordinating Committee (OPCC) | Enbridge Gas filed the Environmental Report with the OPCC. The purpose of the OPCC is to coordinate the Ontario government review of facilities projects in Ontario requiring approval from the OEB, with the goal of minimizing negative impacts. |
December 2021 |
| OEB Leave to Construct application | Enbridge Gas filed a Leave to Construct (LTC) application with the OEB. | February 2022 |
| Notice of application | OEB issues the notice of application. | March 2022 |
| OEB Approval | OEB approved the LTC application. | July 2022 |
| Construction start | Begin construction activities pending receipt of all permit and approvals. | June 2023 |
| Potential construction finish | Construction completion including remediation activities. | August 2024 |
Indigenous and community engagement
The collective input from key stakeholders including Indigenous communities, government agencies, municipalities, stakeholders, the public and landowners play an integral role in the route and site selection process.
Prior to construction, public input is sought to ensure that the community is advised of the proposed project and involved in the decision-making process. Public consultation and engagement are key components of the project’s Environmental Report.
The consultation program also helps to identify and address stakeholder concerns and provide the opportunity for meaningful participation in the project review and development process. Input received from the public information session is used to help finalize the project and mitigation plans that may be implemented during construction.
Once the Leave to Construct (LTC) application is made to the Ontario Energy Board, any party with an interest in the project, including members of the public, may participate in this process.
Public notification
Newspaper advertisements
The notice of study commencement and virtual open house for NPS 20 Waterfront Relocation Pipeline project was published in The Toronto Star during the week of Oct. 25, 2021.
Virtual public information session
A two-week virtual information session occurred between Nov. 1 and Nov. 14, 2021 and was promoted with social media ads targeted to residents in the area near the project. Public feedback was integrated into the environmental report and project planning process.
The presentation boards are available for viewing below:
Regulatory information
The NPS 20 Waterfront Relocation Pipeline project is regulated by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), an independent government agency that regulates the electricity and natural gas sectors. After a public review and hearing, the OEB approved the Leave to Construct application. All regulatory files about the project are available in this section.
Environmental report
In accordance with the OEB's “Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Pipeline and Facilities in Ontario, 7th Edition 2016”, Enbridge Gas retained the services of Stantec Consulting Ltd., an independent environmental consultant, to complete an environmental assessment for the project.
The environmental assessment identifies potential impacts of the proposed project on the social, economic and natural environments; local and/or provincial concerns regarding the proposed project; determines the preferred routing of the pipeline; and gathers input from government agencies, stakeholders, Indigenous communities, affected landowners and the public. It may also include mitigation and monitoring measures to minimize the potential impacts of the natural gas pipeline and associated facilities on the environment. The data, analysis and results of the environmental assessment are detailed in the Environmental Report.
You may access the environmental report here.
Leave to Construct application
Contact information
We want to hear from you!
For matters related to the environmental assessment, contact:
Laura Hill
Environmental Advisor
Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Ottawa, ON
613-784-2256
EA-Replacement20@stantec.com
Other contact:
Stephanie Muller
Environmental Advisor
Enbridge Gas Inc.
stephanie.muller@enbridge.com
