FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is the 345KV Transmission Reliability Project?

A: As part of its commitment to serve customers well, NSTAR has commenced construction of three new, underground 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines. The purpose of the new lines is to reinforce the Greater Boston Area, including surrounding communities, with additional electric power to meet both near term and longer term customer needs for reliable electric service.

Q: Why is the project necessary?

A: Customers’ demand for electricity has risen more than 20 percent in the recent several years, and is projected to continue to climb. However, the amount of electricity generated in the region is being strained by the planned retirement of older generating plants. In an effort to meet this demand, NSTAR has designed new transmission lines to connect its customers to generators outside the region. NSTAR’s new transmission lines will provide its customers access to up to 1,800 megawatts of power when fully implemented, increasing the company’s ability to import electricity into the Greater Boston area by 50 percent.

Q: When will the project be completed?

A: Completion is scheduled for Spring of 2009.

Q: Why is this project important to me?

A: The increase in demand for power is a function of residential and business need for reliable electricity to operate the growing array of household and business equipment. The decision of area firms to retire or close generating plants that produce this electricity reduces the supply of power for you and other NSTAR customers. These new transmission lines ensure access to new sources of power for the future.

Q: Where are the lines located?

A: The entire length of the lines will be underground, traveling from the Stoughton/Canton border to Boston, Massachusetts. The lines access an existing transmission source in Stoughton, Massachusetts and bring the new source of power into substations NSTAR owns in Hyde Park and South Boston where it is distributed to customers throughout Greater Boston and surrounding regions.

Q: What is the exact project route?

A: The transmission lines connect to two substations and a switchyard along the route.  The two existing substations, located in Hyde Park and in South Boston, were enhanced to accommodate the new lines.  The switchyard was constructed off of Route 138 in Stoughton.  The lines run along Route 138 starting at the Stoughton/Canton town line and travel north through Canton and Milton, then  turn on Cummins Highway near Mattapan Square to American Legion Highway.  At American Legion Highway, one of the three lines proceeds to the NSTAR substation in Hyde Park.  The other two lines continue onto American Legion Highway to Blue Hill Avenue to Old Road in Dorchester, to Columbia Road, to Day Boulevard in South Boston, to I Street, to East Third Street, and finally to K Street, where the lines run into the South Boston substation. 

Q: How was this route chosen?

A: During extensive planning, NSTAR identified more than 30 potential routes for the 18-mile transmission lines before settling on the final path. All routes were evaluated on a variety of factors including cost, human impact, environmental considerations, length of the route, community interests and permitting issues.

Q: What will the traffic impacts be along the route?

A: Every effort is made during construction to keep two lanes of travel open to motorists. Work will be performed using shoulder closures, and lane narrowing. Lane restrictions and detours will be used only when necessary to support construction activities. Detours will be publicized on the weekly schedule page of the website and recorded on the Project Information Line.

Q: Will I have access to my driveway and/or business?

A: Yes. If cable installation occurs in front of your property, driveways will be plated to allow residents and businesses access to their homes or buildings. Workers are also on-site to make any necessary accomodations.

Q: I live along the project route. How long can I expect to have construction in front of my doorstep?

A: In this final stage of the project, cable installation will take place at the manholes along the route. Each installation takes approximately one full day. Splicing of the cable takes approximately 7 days (around the clock) underground.

Q: What are the typical work hours?

A: The typical work hours for cable-pulling operations are between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM.  Our splicing operations are performed around the clock for approximately 7 days at each manhole location. There are variations to these typical work hours due to special considerations, etc.

Q: Will there be planned service interruptions in order to build or activate the line?

A: No. Although planned outages are sometimes necessary to connect new customers onto our live electrical distribution system or for conducting routine maintenance, the new transmission lines will not be activated until completion. Consequently, there are no scheduled interruptions due to construction of the new lines.

Q: What’s the difference between the transmission lines and the wires and electrical equipment outside my residence or business?

A: The system of overhead and underground lines that connect to local residents and businesses are part of the local distribution network. The distribution system receives power from area substations that take power off the transmission grid and reduce the voltage from these lines to a level that is usable for consumers. The new transmission lines will help to increase the ability of generators to feed into the electrical network and help meet the growing demand for electricity.

Q: How will the work zones be left at the end of the day?

A: All work areas will be swept on a daily basis to minimize dust and keep communities clean. All trash will also be removed on a daily basis.

Q: As a result of this project, will my electricity never go out again?

A: No. The electrical system stretches over hundreds of miles, and whether underground or overhead, the cables, transformers, and various electrical equipment that make up this system are constantly exposed to the elements, making such a guarantee impossible. However, what the new transmission lines do is provide a way to ensure that customers will be able to access sufficient sources of power for the upcoming years.