The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, in a May 29 decision, approved construction of Connecticut Light and Power’s d/b/a Eversource Energy’s (NYSE:ES) project to modify the existing 115-kV 1655 transmission line located in an existing right of way (ROW) between the East Wallingford Junction and Branford substation.
As noted in the decision, the Authority received the petition from the company in March.
The 1655 Line Project is being undertaken by the company to upgrade the line by replacing steel shield wire and structures that are exhibiting age-related degradation and relocating the existing lines to the new structures. The Authority added that the project area is 10.3 miles long; the project includes construction in the towns of Wallingford, North Haven, North Branford, East Haven, and Branford.
The Authority noted that materials to be used in the construction include:
- 52 single-circuit weathering steel H-frame structures
- 18 single-circuit weathering steel monopole structures
- Two fiber optic ground wires (48 fibers), East Wallingford Junction to Totoket Junction
- One fiber optic ground wire (48 fibers), Totoket Junction to Branford substation
- 27 lightning arrestors
- Ceramic insulators
The Authority added that the project does not involve crossing of any other utility facilities, and that construction of the project is scheduled to begin in June.
The Authority said that it grants approval to conduct commissioning tests and energize the facilities as necessary during construction, as well as following project completion.
The decision noted that the company is to advise the Authority of the date on which construction is completed.
According to the company’s petition, the project is anticipated to be completed in January 2020.
