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Home » Burlington Ward 6 Rural Broadband Internet Project Update: April 8, 2022

Burlington Ward 6 Rural Broadband Internet Project Update: April 8, 2022

Please see below this week’s project update from Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Councillor Angelo Bentivegna for the Rural Ward 6 Internet Broadband project, as we continue working with stakeholders and residents to provide information about the completion of this essential rural broadband project.

We look forward to the next meeting with residents that is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. – more details will be shared closer to the date. Please save the below dates for future meetings:

Wednesday, May 18 at 5:30-6:30 p.m.;
June: Wed. June 15 at 5:30-6:30 p.m.;
July: Wed. July 13 at 5:30-6:30 p.m.;
Details for how to join will be shared closer to each date.

Update as of April 7, 2022:

Approvals

NEC Development Permit:

NEC, Halton Region, and Conservation Halton have reviewed the Best Management Practices Report and Site Plan (Detailed Drawing Package) that were recently submitted to satisfy conditions prior to the issuance of the Niagara Escarpment Commission Development Permit. There are a few minor changes to be made and following that, NEC will be able to issue the Development Permit.

Arborist

The City is compiling a list of arborists to share with the applicant but will not suggest any one in particular. The arborist will only be on site as required.

Construction process

No changes are expected in the construction timeline and IASL/Standard Broadband continues to be confident that construction can begin in May and will be completed on time.

Pipelines, Hydro, Creeks and Regional Roads

Creek crossings:

IASL/Standard Broadband confirmed that four of the five aerial crossing designs for creek crossings have been completed, and the outstanding one will be completed soon. These will be submitted once the Joint Use Agreement is signed off by all parties. There is a standard fee set out by the Ontario Energy Board for annual rental of hydro poles (this is a set amount).

IASL/Standard Broadband has requested a reduction in the permit application fees from Burlington Hydro (BHI). This is a cost for BHI as it is contracted out and while BHI would like to accommodate IASL/Standard Broadband in this way, it would unfortunately not be possible to grant the request.

Pipeline Crossings:

IASL/Standard Broadband will enter into contracts (similar to Joint Use Agreements) with each oil company separately as they all operate differently. Oil companies involved are Imperial Oil, Enbridge and Sun Canadian. Union Gas is the only gas company involved. Some companies request that a broadband utility should be underneath the pipelines and/or that the pipelines be uncovered, but this is not feasible as they are very deep. IASL/Standard Broadband is in negotiations with these companies to ensure that they could cross the pipelines at a standard depth.

Regional Road Crossings:

IASL/Standard Broadband is working directly with Halton Regionals Public Works staff regarding the Municipal Consent process to ensure the required information have been supplied and coordinated appropriately. IASL/Standard Broadband received feedback from Public Works and addressed concerns – no additional concerns have been received thus far. Conservation Halton asked for trench on Side Rd 2 to be moved (to the other side of the road) due to erosion in the area. Plans are being revised by the end of the week and resubmitted to accommodate this. These revisions will also be highlighted for city staff as the most updated and complete set of drawings will form part of the permit, when the time comes for the city to issue same.

Next Steps

The group will meet again next week and continue to collaborate to ensure the project stays on track.

Timeline

Below is information that has been shared with the community in previous updates, but is restated here for convenience.

April 2022

Per the applicant’s webpage, once permits are issued IASL/Standard Broadband will:

finalize and post their construction schedule on their webpage
order locates for underground utilities

May-June-July 2022

Per the applicant’s webpage, once locates are issued, IASL/Standard Broadband will:

bring in equipment
begin construction, which is expected to take three months

Webpage

The city has set up a dedicated Rural Internet Installation webpage for the two rural broadband projects currently underway here: https://www.burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/rural-internet-installation.asp

Please check back regularly for updates. If you have subscribed to the page, you’ll receive an alert each time new information is posted.

Comments/Questions

Please feel free to share this correspondence with other rural residents who may be interested.

If you have any additional questions, please let us know and we will endeavour to get answers and include them in a future update.

Please be assured that we are all working toward the same shared goal of securing rural broadband for our residents as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Marianne & Angelo

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward & Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna

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