Overview:
National Grid has started a $470 million project to upgrade a high-voltage transmission line from Vermont to Massachusetts, which will involve replacing structures and foundations, adding new conductors and improving right-of-way access. The infrastructure in place is approaching the end of its useful life, and the work will be reflected in consumers' utility bills over the next several years.
National Grid has begun a multi-year, $470 million dollar project involving the upgrade of a high-voltage transmission line that travels from Vernon, Vermont, through southeast New Hampshire, and continues into Franklin and Worcester counties.
According to National Grid, “The goal is to replace structures and foundations, add new conductors, and improve right-of-way access. The need to trim back vegetation and modernize right-of-ways is a necessary step as well,” explained National Grid Corporate Affairs Representative Bob Kievra.
The work is being done as the infrastructure in place is approaching the end of its useful life, according to a website dedicated to the projected. Restoration of the work area will be done once the project is complete.
National Grid has made it known that the $470 million dollar project will be reflected in consumers utility bills, gradually, over the next several years. The work will be done in different phases over the next four years.
The high voltage transmission line was installed in 1909. Aside from repairs and clearing of vegetation, no upgrades have been done since then, according to Kievra. While the current transmission lines continue to serve the region, they no longer meet capacity and reliability needs.
National Grid is modernizing the infrastructure to strengthen capacity and growing energy demands, support economic activity, and accommodate new customers. the utility provider will use an established network of access routes and land that currently services the line to undertake the new project.
National Grid held extensive planning board meetings for this transmission line project with members of local and state officials, including the towns of Warwick, Winchendon, Royalston and Athol.
In Warwick and Royalston, National Grid crews are already at work on the transmission lines, while Athol will be receiving new hardware and infrastructure upgrades to the tap line that runs into the Chestnut Hill Avenue Substation beginning May of 2029.
Athol Town Administrator Shaun Suhoski said he is happy to see the project get underway and that it is needed.
“This is a major investment and they are looking towards the future, which is good,” he said of National Grid.
Athol administrators have also been discussing increasing the capacity to the Chestnut Hill substation and are still in negotiations with National Grid.
Warwick Assistant Town Manager Diana Noble noted that the transmission line crosses Route 78 in the northern section of town and that Warwick has a “light touch” on the project as it travels through the edge of town.
Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney mentioned that National Grid and the town are “…still finalizing the details,” with National Grid about the transmission line project, which is proposed to start in Winchendon April of 2028.
Part of the transmission line project travels to the Royalston substation as well, on South Royalston Road, and residents can expect to see crews working through to January 2028.
National Grid has provided a website to help inform consumers about what they can expect to see in their towns as this project continues. For more specific details on the project including project dates affecting the towns involved please see here: https://www.newenglanda1b2.com/.