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Acushnet to Fall River Reliability Project
Why Are We Doing This Project?
Eversource and National Grid are planning to construct a new 12.1-mile, 115 kilovolt (kV) overhead transmission line between the Industrial Park Tap in Acushnet and Bell Rock Substation in Fall River to enhance system reliability and address the demand for electricity.
Where Is This Work Being Done?
We will build the portion of the new transmission line starting at the Mendall Road Tap in Acushnet, continuing for approximately 7.9 miles passing through Acushnet, New Bedford and Dartmouth. We will also upgrade equipment at our Acushnet and Tremont (Wareham) substations.
National Grid will build the portion of the new transmission line starting in Dartmouth and continuing for approximately 4.2 miles through Fall River and ending at their Bell Rock Substation.
* Click map to enlarge
When Is The Work Being Done?
- Start of construction: Spring 2026*
- Estimated in-service date: Early 2027*
*subject to change, pending necessary approvals
About this project
- Route length: Approximately 12.1 miles
- Line voltage: 115,000 volts (115 kV)
- Siting review by: Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB)
For more information, download the project fact sheet (PDF).
Siting Review
To construct and operate the new overhead transmission line, Eversource and National Grid filed a petition with the EFSB for approval. The petition filing is part of the regulatory review process as defined by Massachusetts state statutes.
Dates
- December 2021 - Initial EFSB filing
- December 2023 - EFSB public hearings
- August 2023 - Environmental Impact Report (EIR) decision and certificate from Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office
- August 2024 - Approvals received from New Bedford and Dartmouth conservation commissions
- October 2024 - Approvals received from Acushnet conservation commission
- March 2026- Anticipated EFSB petition decision
Community Outreach
We will continue to engage with town officials, residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders via municipal briefings, mailings and meetings to answer questions and coordinate project activities. We will keep you informed as the proposed project proceeds through the permitting process.
Outreach efforts
- September 2018 – Open houses in Acushnet and Dartmouth
- September 2018 – Open house at Dartmouth Town Hall in Dartmouth
- June and July 2021 – Virtual open houses (Presentation available in Español and Português) (PDF file download)
- February 2025 – Pop-up event in Acushnet
- Ongoing – quarterly updates mailed to project neighbors
Have Questions?
Keeping the lines of communication open is an important part of our work in your community.
For more information about this project, please call the project information hotline at 1-833-836-0302 or email ProjectInfoMA@eversource.com.
For more information specific to National Grid's Fall River portion of the project, visit southcoastreliabilityprojects.com, send an email to National Grid at Info@SouthCoastReliabilityProjects.com or call 833-233-7277.