Amidst construction during Hydro and Bell upgrades to her street, Nancy Ronchin is still smiling – despite the view from her front window
By Denise Bacon
Ah, the sweet sounds of summer turning the page to fall! It’s not so simple here in the CCRA community as many of us have awoken through the season to the harsher sounds of interesting and unusual machinery churning up lawns and chewing up sidewalks.
Yes, our community has been a veritable construction zone, street by street. There are two major companies upgrading their lines in different parts of our community – Toronto Hydro and Bell. If you are a little confused, rest easy since you are in good company! Stephanie and Mike Lake received information from Bell advising about new lines being installed. They rightly wondered what Toronto Hydro is doing and if Hydro was coordinating with Bell as construction was starting on their street. Both companies are trying to ensure that residents are kept informed.
Powerline is working for Toronto Hydro and their equipment is most visible and audible in the neighbourhood. It’s amazing to see trenches being dug on and around private properties while tree roots are preserved. The source of loud noise is the machines that use powerful water jets to loosen soil and huge vacuums to suck up the soil. Thus, the roots are preserved and our trees will continue to flourish.
Other noise comes from the digging up of sidewalks to fit in the conduits (black tubing) through which the new cables are run to replace old existing electrical cables. Walter Oberlander, a longtime resident, was lamenting that new sidewalks were constructed in front of his home just last year and those sidewalks stamped 2016 are now being ripped up for the new electrical cables. Isn’t there some foresight among planners?
Joseph Tillie was fascinated to watch some of the proceedings in front of his home. Joseph had planned to replace his driveway this year but, thankfully, he put it off until next year when all this dust has settled!
Nancy Ronchin had nothing but warm sentiments about the workers. She said that they were so hospitable and courteous. They cleaned up their work sites every day and did an outstanding job! She admitted, of course, that the disruption on the street was frustrating, but “we will benefit from this work done by such a stand-up crew!” The work is complex, challenging and even a little risky for the workers. It is literally hands-on and even “body-on” work at times with workers inside and above six-foot ditches.
Residents in the neighbourhood of Charles Tupper/McCulley/Langevin have all survived, nay, thrived through installation of new Bell lines. They were effusive about the workers being very polite. They dug up and cleaned up!
Alan Mosor, a young man working for GCon Landscaping, is a good representative of the many workers from different companies who are working diligently in our neighbourhood. He and his teammates help restore our properties to their pre-construction state. They replace gravel with rich earth and grass seed, replace curb stones and do their best for their customers. Even with long days and hard work Alan has a ready, contagious smile. He said that the neighbours are really nice here, often bringing out popsicles and water and thanking workers for their hard work. “This is one of the best neighbourhoods I’ve worked in!” said Alan.
Yes, neighbours, ours is one of the best neighbourhoods in Toronto! After this season of construction and upgrading of hydro and telephone lines, we will be even better!