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January 15, 2008

National Grid taking to the air for South County wiring

A helicopter used by National Grid, the state's dominant electricity distributer, is scheduled to begin today the restringing of wires in East Greenwich and North Kingstown as part of its $25 million Southern Rhode Island Transmission Project.

The helicopter will fly about 150 feet above the ground and be used to install pulling ropes which will be placed in rollers attached to the poles. The ropes will be tied to the wires, and both will be pulled through the rollers to complete the wire installation. The job is expected to take three to five days.

National Grid is using the helicopter to avoid any damage that heavy equipment might cause the environmentally-sensitive areas along the right of way where the work is being done. The flights are scheduled to start in an area near the intersection of Routes 2 and 4. A staging area for take-offs and landings will be established on the north side of Old Baptist Road.

Overall, the project will replace 13.5 miles of existing 115 kilovolt transmission lines, adding about 12.3 miles of new lines along an existing right of way. The project, which is expected to be completed in 2008, also includes a new substation and upgrades to an existing substation.

-- Journal staff writer John Kostrzewa

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 11:18 AM | Permalink

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