Upgrades strengthen reliability for customers and support broader state goals for transportation and economic development

BERLIN, Conn. (July 31, 2025) – In support of the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (CTDOT) Norwalk Bridge Replacement Project, Eversource is commemorating the completion of its transmission work, a necessary step to enable the next phase of the replacement of the aging WALK Bridge and ensure continued railroad operation along the vital Northeast Corridor – the busiest passenger railway in the country carrying more than 2,000 trains daily.  After years of close collaboration with CTDOT, the City of Norwalk and other project partners from early planning through construction, the energy company successfully relocated two electric transmission lines that spanned the top of the bridge, which now run underground through tunnels beneath the Norwalk River and city streets to keep power flowing for customers.

Bill Quinlan, Eversource President of Transmission and Offshore Wind Projects

“This project is a foundational step toward building a faster, more reliable rail system in Connecticut and a testament to how upgrading the electric transmission system is a strategic investment in the state’s economic future,” said Eversource President of Transmission and Offshore Wind Projects Bill Quinlan. “Transmission lines are essential to the safe, reliable delivery of electricity to millions of our customers across the region. By successfully relocating these high-voltage cables, we’re helping to strengthen the resiliency of the grid and enable future improvements in train speeds and service reliability along the most heavily traveled rail corridor in the nation. This project supported hundreds of local jobs and required years of meticulous planning and seamless coordination with CTDOT, Norwalk city officials, and the local community. I’m proud of how we worked with all of our partners to achieve a successful outcome and reach this positive milestone.”

“Relocating these transmission lines underground beneath the Norwalk River is a critical infrastructure step that enables the next phase of WALK Bridge construction, reduces long-term maintenance needs, and enhances system resilience,” said CTDOT Deputy Commissioner Laoise King. “We appreciate the partnership of Eversource and the City of Norwalk in planning and executing this complex relocation with precision.”

“I want to thank Eversource for their partnership in completing this first significant step toward replacing the WALK Bridge by relocating the electric transmission lines underground through tunnels under the Norwalk River,” said Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling. “Keeping the transmission lines underground will allow our community to be more resilient to future storms, as above-ground power lines are more vulnerable to harsh weather conditions. I also want to thank the CT Department of Transportation for their tremendous efforts toward rebuilding the WALK Bridge. Replacing this critical infrastructure is all about our community's safety and building a faster, more reliable rail system through Connecticut. Finally, I want to thank the community for their patience as this work is being done and for sharing their input and participating in countless community discussions with Eversource and CTDOT over the years.”

Since project discussions began in 2016, Eversource routinely updated residents and businesses impacted by the work through every stage of the project. The energy company provided frequent opportunities for officials and community members to ask questions and provide feedback, including an open house early in the project’s development, monthly city coordination meetings, door-to-door outreach, translated materials, and frequent meetings with property owners. As part of the process, several potential relocation routes for the two transmission lines were developed and carefully reviewed. Through strong collaboration with the City of Norwalk and CTDOT, a final route was selected in 2022 that balanced required electrical reliability standards and costs while limiting environmental and community impacts. Construction for the new 115 kV underground transmission lines broke ground in mid-2023 and was completed in line with CTDOT’s construction schedule this spring.  

Learn more about major electric system upgrade projects in Connecticut, including additional information on the Norwalk Bridge Transmission Relocation Project.

Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is recognized as the #1 U.S. utility on TIME’s List of World’s Best Companies for 2024. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity to 1.3 million customers in 157 cities and towns, provides natural gas to 254,000 customers in 85 communities, and supplies water to approximately 225,000 customers in 60 communities across Connecticut. Eversource harnesses the commitment of more than 10,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 Energy Efficiency Provider in the Nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like a first-in-the-nation networked geothermal pilot project, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.