Hydro One is building a second access route from Cootes Drive directly through its own property to begin a pole replacement project delayed earlier this year.

Construction of the temporary road began Oct. 13 to provide access to hydro poles between Cootes Drive and Spencer Creek. The utility company is using 8X14- foot poly-ethylene interlocking blocks to construct the temporary road for heavy equipment. The blocks are 4.25 inches thick and weigh 1,050 pounds.

The current work is all within the hydro corridor and not on property owned by the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

In June, Hydro One cleared trees and vegetation for an access road through conservation authority property on the other side of Spencer Creek.

The pole replacement project was put on hold for four months while the HCA and Environment Canada reviewed the damage, and a new permit protocol was developed with Hydro One. The conservation authority had not given permission for the extensive clearing. The current access road construction falls outside the conservation authority’s jurisdiction.

The authority owns land on both sides of the hydro corridor. The conservation authority manager of watershed planning and engineering, Kathy Menyes, was not aware of the temporary road under construction within the hydro corridor itself.

McMaster University biology professor Jim Quinn said the current work appears to be completely within the corridor, which he feels should have been done from the start.

“It is a shame that they disturbed so much of the area along Spencer Creek last time,” Mr. Quinn said.

But Hydro One spokesperson Laura Cooke said the utility company will also use the access road cleared during the summer to get to poles in the hydro corridor on the other side of Spencer Creek, rather than going directly over the creek itself.

“Hydro One will use both access roads to conduct its work,” Ms. Cooke said. “The newer access road will not cross Spencer Creek but, rather, will end at Spencer Creek.”

Hydro One and the conservation authority have apparently been working together to prepare for use of the first access road through conservation land south of Spencer Creek.

Ms. Menyes acknowledged the conservation authority has given Hydro One permission to use its property to access the hydro corridor on the south side of Spencer Creek. It’s not clear when work south of the creek and in conservation authority property will begin. Ms Menyes said HCA staff have already met with Hydro representatives at the first access road cleared during the summer to provide direction before the work there begins.