A milestone was achieved on November 15 as workers at the new 10-kilometre long Niagara Tunnel opened the valve allowing water to flow from the Niagara River up to the tunnel’s intake channel for the first time. Once in service, water will flow from the Niagara River through the tunnel leading to the Sir Adam Beck generating stations. When the water is level with the river, crews will start to remove the cofferdam. When completed in mid-2013, the Niagara Tunnel will increase the output at the Sir Adam Beck stations, and provide renewable electricity for about 160,000 homes annually for the next 100 years. About 300 people are currently employed on the project. At peak the work force numbered 580. Photo courtesy of OPG.