BERLIN, Conn., April 27, 2012 — Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) will be using a helicopter to help string new high-voltage transmission lines in Manchester, Conn. Use of the helicopter significantly reduces impacts to the natural environment and flow of traffic compared to conventional ground-based cable pulling methods.
The flights are scheduled between Monday, April 30, and Wednesday, May 2, 2012, during the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., weather permitting, using a low flying helicopter pulling nylon ropes to new transmission structures along the project route, including those adjacent to I-84 and I-291, located on an existing CL&P right-of-way.
This work is part of the Manchester-Meekville Junction Project, a 2.7-mile transmission line upgrade on an existing utility right-of-way between West Center Street and Burnham Street in Manchester. Once complete, this project will improve reliability of electric service to customers while reinforcing the electric transmission grid in southern New England.
This right-of-way also crosses environmentally sensitive areas near the Hockanum River. The helicopter will significantly reduce the impact of work in this unique area.
To ensure the safe completion of this work, Connecticut State Police, local police, traffic control vehicles, flaggers and signs will be deployed on the highways to help manage the flow of traffic as the helicopter pulls the lines over the two highways.
This $28.8 million upgrade consists of constructing a new 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line on steel monopoles, reconfiguring an existing 345-kV line, and modifying CL&P’s Manchester substation. To learn more about this work or the Manchester – Meekville Junction Project, please visit the project website, www.MMPproject.com, or call 1-866-996-3397.