One of the biggest construction projects ever in this region is getting closer to completion.
Ontario Power Generation's Niagara Tunnel is already three years behind schedule and $600 million (Canadian) over budget.
The hole in the bedrock far under Niagara Falls, Ontario will carry 500 cubic meters of water a second from above the Falls to a hydroelectric plant down the Niagara Gorge.
The six-mile long, 47-feet in diameter tunnel was supposed to be finished in 2009 at a cost of $1 billion. It will now be open in the middle of next year for $1.6 billion. The final concrete for the tunnel was poured last week.
"There's still some work to do in the tunnel and that will happen over the next several months. As well, there are two earthern structures at the inlet of the tunnel, that's at the Niagara River and at the outlet of the tunnel which is down by our generation station," said Media Relations Director Neal Kelly.
Kelly says the plant will generate enough green electricity for 160,000 homes and continue the elimination of coal-burning power stations from Ontario, with all slated to be gone in two years. He says it's part of a massive shift in Ontario away from coal-fired power plants to nuclear, natural gas, wind and hydroelectric.
