Manitoba Hydro
Tdworld 1147 Manhole
Tdworld 1147 Manhole
Tdworld 1147 Manhole
Tdworld 1147 Manhole
Tdworld 1147 Manhole

Rebuilding Electricity Infrastructure Under Winnipeg Streets

May 10, 2013
Manitoba Hydro is at work under the streets of downtown Winnipeg rebuilding manholes that are a critical part of the city's electrical system.

Manitoba Hydro is at work under the streets of downtown Winnipeg rebuilding manholes that are a critical part of the city's electrical system. Manholes are concrete or brick enclosures built to provide access to underground electric cables or transformers. These enclosures are typically 2 m deep and 3 m long by 2 m wide.

Manitoba Hydro has approximately 2,400 manholes throughout the province, over 1,800 of which are located in the central part of Winnipeg. Some of these installations date back to the early 1900s. Approximately 350 manholes need to be either replaced or rehabilitated in the next 20 years at an estimated cost of up to $52 million depending on the extent of repairs required.

"Repairing damaged or deteriorating manholes has been a normal part of our annual maintenance program. However, as with other assets in our system which were built back during rural and urban electrification, many are approaching the end of their service life. We need to make this investment now to ensure we continue to safely and reliably serve our customers in the future," said Scott Thomson, President & CEO of Manitoba Hydro.

The primary focus is manholes located on public roadways because they present the highest risks to the public and are subjected to the most severe conditions, including weight and vibration associated with vehicle traffic.

Along with manholes, Manitoba Hydro is making significant investments to replace other critical equipment.

For example, many distribution stations in the City of Winnipeg are currently operating beyond their capacity and cannot accommodate new load additions. Manitoba Hydro must replace or refurbish 20 of these stations over the next 10 to 12 years at an estimated cost of $630 million.

Of the one million wood poles in Manitoba Hydro's distribution system, about one-quarter were installed between 1945 and 1960. It is estimated that 117,000 of these poles will need to be replaced in the next 20 years at a cost of $400 million.

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