HARTFORD, Conn., and BOSTON, Mass. (Sept. 29, 2014) -- Northeast Utilities’ Greater Springfield Reliability Project (GSRP) has earned a significant honor from The Edison Electric Institute (EEI). The project is being recognized for its exceptional achievement in safety after completing nearly three million work hours with no lost time incidents. This comes on the heels of the GSRP being awarded the Best Energy/Industrial Project in New England by Engineering News-Report magazine for accomplishments in safety, innovation and teamwork.
“This honor truly belongs to the workers whose commitment to safety on this project was the driving force behind our success,” said Kathy Shea, Vice President of Transmission Project Development at Northeast Utilities. “The GSRP team, including our partner Burns & McDonnell, created and promoted a culture of safety excellence for all contractors working on the project, which resulted in a safety record second to none. That accomplishment is a testament to the team's efforts and we commend them.”
During construction from December 2010 to November 2013, GSRP crews faced several engineering, construction and weather challenges. Despite Superstorm Sandy and the blizzard of 2013, the project was completed on time and approximately $40 million under budget, at a final cost of $676 million.
As one of the largest construction undertakings of its kind in the country, GSRP spanned 100 circuit miles from Ludlow, MA, to Bloomfield, CT, with more than 600 new transmission structures and 13 new or rebuilt substations and switching stations. GSRP not only boosted the local economy by creating 1,700 new jobs, it accomplished its goal of strengthening the electric grid and delivering more reliable power to the region.
Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU) operates New England’s largest energy delivery company. NU and its companies are committed to safety, reliability, environmental leadership and stewardship, as well as expanding energy options for its more than 3.6 million electric and natural gas customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Learn more about NU and its family of companies at www.nu.com.