The Importance of a Strong Electric Grid
Read about the importance of a strong electric grid from UI's Vice President of Projects, Jim Cole
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UI Railroad Transmission Lines Upgrade Project
UI Railroad Transmission Lines Upgrade Project
Fairfield to Congress Substation, Bridgeport Railroad Transmission Line Rebuild Project
Learn more about the project
Read MoreAbout the Overall Railroad Transmission Line Rebuild Project
The UI Railroad Transmission Line Upgrade Project rebuilds UI’s transmission lines along the 25 miles of the Metro North Railroad(MNR) corridor between Fairfield and West Haven. This includes installation of approximately 500 new foundation supported galvanized transmission poles, upgrading of conductor size and installing sectionalizing switches at nearby substations. This project will enhance the structural integrity and reliability of the high voltage transmission lines along the MNR corridor allowing UI to continue to provide safe, reliable electric service to our customers for years to come.
Project Purpose and Need
Benefits to region and our customers
The upgrades will improve the reliability and resiliency of the transmission system, ensuring that the safe and reliable transmission of power is maintained throughout Fairfield and New Haven County in accordance with Federal reliability standards.
Project Map
Project Scope
- Staking, vegetation clearing, installation and removal of access roads and work pads
- Installation of drilled foundations supporting monopoles and conductors
- Installation of new sectionalizing switches at substations to increase reliability and operational flexibility
- Removal of bonnet structures (top of poles which hold the power lines) on MNR Catenaries (cables which hold the lines)
- Site Restoration
Timing
Construction start of the first phase: Dec. 2017
Estimated in-service date of final phase: 2028 Q3
Construction Scope
115kV Transmission Line Upgrade
- Completed, in service 12/24/2018
Crossing Replacement
- Completed, in service 6/7/2018
Stratford 115-kV Transmission Line Upgrade Project consisting of the removal and relocation of northern and southern sections of existing 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line structures from Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) catenary structures within the Metro-North Railroad corridor to new 115-kV transmission line structures to be located within the existing ConnDOT right of way and upgrade of 115-kV conductors extending approximately 1.9 miles from UI’s Baird Substation to just west of the Housatonic River in Stratford, Connecticut, and related substation improvements
- In construction: Nov 2019 to Aug 2021
- Energized: February 2021
Rebuild 9.5 miles from Milvon Substation (Milford, CT) to West River Substation (New Haven, CT).
Relocate the transmission lines off the existing CT DOT railroad catenary bonnets and install on independent monopoles with new insulators, hardware and conductor on new monopole structures in the railroad corridor.
- Engineering August 2020 – Q3 2022
- Construction Start Q4 2023
- In-service Q4 2028
Additional Links and Documents
- Fact Sheet
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Construction Process
- Milvon to West River Video
- Interactive Map of Project route
- Contact us
- Permitting info
- Project Overview & Engineering
- Environmental and Community
- Video
More information is available in the Document Library
- Relocate the circuit from Eversource/UI Transition structure (B648) to Structure B737, from the existing railroad catenary bonnets and install on new monopoles in the railroad corridor.
- Relocate the overhead transmission lines from the existing railroad catenary bonnets and install on independent monopoles with new insulators, hardware and conductor from structure B737 to Congress Substation.
- Detailed Engineering – Jan. 2022 to Q1 2024
- Construction Start Q1 2025
- In-service Q3 2028
Additional Links and Documents
Construction Process
UI is committed to working cooperatively with our customers, neighbors, community leaders and regulators as we improve reliability while minimizing disruption to the environment and community. We have a dedicated team of public outreach liaisons who will be involved throughout the duration of the project to answer any questions you may have.
Below are the stages of the project construction process that you may see in your community.
1) Laying matting and building access roads for construction vehicles while protecting the area
2) Tree clearing – trimming "danger trees" that may cause service interruption
3) Drilling foundations which will support the new galvanized steel poles
4) Setting the bolt cage for the foundation structure
5) Pouring concrete for the foundations
6) Final concrete cap for the steel monopoles
7) Setting the poles into the foundation
8) Stringing the wire (conductor) onto the poles
9) Restoration - grading, seeding & mulch. Access roads removed.
Updated May 2020
Railroad Transmission Line Upgrade Video
Permitting
UI is designing the Project to avoid and minimize negative impacts to the community and the environment. Early Project planning efforts included the completion of a set of resource assessments to clarify important planning considerations such as water resources; soil characteristics; cultural resources; and sensitive plant and animal species. Active regulatory coordination and reviews preceded numerous permitting efforts and are ongoing through the construction phase of the Project. UI has secured the necessary authorizations reviews and permits from agencies across federal, state and local administration agencies. Consultations and permits have been pursued from the following agencies for the Project:
Federal
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
State of Connecticut
- Connecticut Siting Council (CSC)
- Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CTDEEP)
- Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
Local and Regional
- Towns of Fairfield, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, Orange, West Haven & New Haven
Document Library
Fairfield to Congress Substation, Bridgeport
| Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Fairfield to Congress - Real Estate Glossary | 11/29/2023 |
| Importance of a Strong Electric Grid Op-Ed | 11/01/2023 |
| Submitted Questions | 10/20/2023 |
| Question Follow-Ups | 10/20/2023 |
| Public Meeting Postcard (003) | 01/13/2023 |
| Open House Postcard | 01/13/2023 |
| Public Meeting Postcard | 01/13/2023 |
| Fairfield to Congress Fact Sheet | 01/04/2023 |
| Public Presentation | 01/01/2023 |
| Frequently Asked Questions | 12/12/2022 |
| Fairfield to Congress Cross Sections | 12/10/2022 |
| Visual Simulations | 12/09/2022 |
| Connecticut DEEP Natural Diversity Database Species Protection Best Management Practices | 12/07/2022 |
| Fairfield to Congress 400 foot Maps 2 of 2 | 11/28/2022 |
| Fairfield to Congress 400 foot Maps 1 of 2 | 11/28/2022 |
Milvon to West River 115 kV Transmission Line Rebuild Project
| Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Hearing Mailing | 02/25/2022 |
| Open House Postcard | 02/25/2022 |
| Right of Way Cross Sections | 02/22/2022 |
| Transcript: Milvon to West River Transmission Open House Video | 01/18/2022 |
| Transcript: Milvon to West River Transmission Line Upgrade Project Video | 01/18/2022 |
| CT DEEP Natural Diversity Database Species Protection Best Management Practices | 12/23/2021 |
| FAQ Sheet - Milvon to West River | 12/20/2021 |
| Visual Simulations as shown in the Municipal Consultation filing on 11/28/2021 | 11/28/2021 |
| 400-Scale MCF Project Mapping | 10/14/2021 |
| Phase 4 - Milvon to West River Fact Sheet | 09/04/2020 |
General Information
| Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Typical Structure Foundation Details | 12/23/2021 |
| Connecticut Siting Council Process | 12/23/2021 |
| Design with Community in Mind | 11/22/2021 |
| Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) | 11/22/2021 |
| Permitting: Environmental and Regulatory | 11/22/2021 |
| Comparison of Underground and Overhead Power Lines | 11/22/2021 |
| Phase 3 - HRX to Baird Fact Sheet | 03/17/2021 |
| Phase 3 - Raymark/Contract Plating Info sheet | 05/01/2020 |
How the Electric Delivery System Works
The electric grid consists of high-voltage transmission lines and low-voltage distribution lines that transport electricity from power generation plants to community areas that need electricity.
Project/Construction Updates
Fairfield to Congress Substation, Bridgeport
Project Updates - The application for Certificate of Public Need and Environmental Compatibility has been submitted to the Connecticut Siting Council(CSC). For more information or to make a comment please see the CSC website at Docket No 516 (ct.gov)
Construction Update – Detailed engineering stage, Construction expected to begin early 2025
Milvon to West River
Project update – Completed the Connecticut Siting Council approval process, Docket No 508 (ct.gov)
Construction Update - Construction will begin mid-September 2023 in an east to west trajectory, starting in New Haven and moving into West Haven with early efforts concentrated on vegetation removal, matting, and temporary/permanent road construction as well as foundations.
Read what types of activities you will see throughout the phases of construction.
Get in touch
T: 1-888-848-3697
E: [email protected]