The march of the new cedar hydro poles in streets of Ward 22 west of Bayview goes on apace. These scenes are from Gresham Road just off Belsize Drive. The work is necessary to replace the aging concrete poles, some of which have been in place for half a century, according to Hydro workers. Five decades of road salt has had quite impact on some of these poles at the base. Workers said it has made some of the old standards quite wobbly. As we reported in recent weeks, the new poles carry the 4000-volt feeder services with the local wires underneath. That’s one reason for the 50 foot height of the poles. The poles come from what is said to be a vast supply of cedar trees grown for the purpose in forests in British Columbia. Many come from to Northeast of the Okanagan Valley an area famous for its abundant tall, straight cedar pole trees as long as 105 feet. For 13 years, selective logging has been used to harvest poles here. Some 3,500 to 5,000 poles per year are taken from this region. After treating, many are used by Ontario Hydro and Ontario Municipal Electrical Utilities. Photos: March of the new cedar giants on Gresham Road west of Bayview Ave. Below, a shot of a cedar forest. Cedar poles replace rotting concrete in Ward 22
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The march of the new cedar hydro poles in streets of Ward 22 west of Bayview goes on apace. These scenes are from Gresham Road just off Belsize Drive. The work is necessary to replace the aging concrete poles, some of which have been in place for half a century, according to Hydro workers. Five decades of road salt has had quite impact on some of these poles at the base. Workers said it has made some of the old standards quite wobbly. As we reported in recent weeks, the new poles carry the 4000-volt feeder services with the local wires underneath. That’s one reason for the 50 foot height of the poles. The poles come from what is said to be a vast supply of cedar trees grown for the purpose in forests in British Columbia. Many come from to Northeast of the Okanagan Valley an area famous for its abundant tall, straight cedar pole trees as long as 105 feet. For 13 years, selective logging has been used to harvest poles here. Some 3,500 to 5,000 poles per year are taken from this region. After treating, many are used by Ontario Hydro and Ontario Municipal Electrical Utilities. Photos: March of the new cedar giants on Gresham Road west of Bayview Ave. Below, a shot of a cedar forest. 