An influx of PSEG trucks in Southold are expected to enhance reliability and harden the system to better withstand storms.
According to PSEG Long Island, a new program is kicking off, funded with $729 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, aimed at strengthening key electric circuits in Southold and other areas. The goal, PSEG said, improve the reliability of the electric grid for thousands of customers.
The program is funded through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program, which was established to harden electrical distribution infrastructure against future storm damage and help restore power more quickly.
Highlights of the plan include replacing existing wire with more weather-resistant wire; installing new and more durable poles in several locations; and installing or replacing switching equipment to help reduce the number of customers affected by an outage.
The route in Southold will cover approximately 1.5 miles along the electric main line circuit, including Pine Neck Road east of Main Bayview Road and west of Kimberly Lane, North Bayview Road south of Southold Yacht Club and north of North Bayview Road Extension, and Jacobs Lane south of North Bayview Road Extension and north of Main Bayview Road. Switching equipment will be installed at Route 48 between Ackerly Pond Road and Carroll Avenue and Main Bayview Road between Bay Water Avenue and Bayberry Road.
Crews are expected to work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with limited evening and weekend work and no work done on major national holidays. Tree trimming will ensue as necessary, PSEG said this week.
The new poles will be approximately the same height as existing poles, have a stronger base and will be placed about two-to-three feet from the current pole locations. PSEG Long Island will actively coordinate the removal of old poles with other utilities and municipalities.
As the work progresses, some lane closures can be expected, with signage posted and traffic flaggers onhand to minimize delays and ensure driver safety.
Work is expected to commence on or about April 6 and is expected to last approximately five months.
PSEG Long Island announced this week that it was set to embark on the federally funded, three-year reliability and resiliency project to further strengthen the electric grid across Long Island and in the Rockaways.
The more than $729 million of federal recovery funds were secured for the Long Island Power Authority via an agreement last year between Governor Andrew Cuomo and FEMA, under the FEMA 406 Mitigation Program.
“We are committed to making our transmission and distribution system more resilient, able to better withstand extreme weather events,” said David Daly, PSEG Long Island president and chief operating officer. “Superstorm Sandy has had a lasting impact on our customers, and the recovery and healing is still ongoing. The funding provided to the Long Island Power Authority by FEMA allows us to implement significant grid reinforcements that will make the system more resilient to future storms.”
Work is also expect to kick off in Huntington in April.
