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Woburn to Wakefield Line Project

Why Are We Doing This Project?

This project will improve reliability and address the growing need for electricity in the area.

Where Is This Work Being Done?

This project includes a new 345-kilovolt (kV) underground transmission line that will connect Eversource’s Woburn Substation and National Grid’s Wakefield Junction Substation.

The line will extend approximately 8.5 miles between two existing substations, passing through Woburn, Winchester, Stoneham and Wakefield. The project also includes improvements within the existing fence lines of the Woburn and Wakefield substations.

Eversource will be constructing the new line from the Woburn Substation through Woburn, Winchester and Stoneham to the Wakefield border. For more information specific to the Town of Wakefield, please visit the Greater Boston and New Hampshire Solution.

Map showing the route of the new Woburn to Wakefield transmission line.

* Click to Enlarge

About This Project

  • Route length: Approximately 8.5 miles
  • Line voltage: 345,000 volt (345-kilovolt [kV]) underground transmission line)
  • Siting review by: EFSB

Traffic Management Plans

Working in consultation with town officials, we developed Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) for the construction of the Woburn to Wakefield Line Project.

The TMPs include conditions specific to routing by the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) in its decision, a detailed site plan showing underground line location, hours of construction, and area-specific traffic controls. All TMPs are subject to change and may be updated often.

Due to size, TMPs may take extra time to open/download.

When Is The Work Being Done?

  • Start of construction: 2018
  • Projected in-service date: Second quarter 2023

*subject to change

Construction Updates

We're committed to keeping neighbors, businesses and community members informed on project activities during construction. Sign up to receive email updates.

Construction began in 2018 and work is not expected to interrupt electric service to homes or businesses.

Stoneham

Week of 3/20/23
This week, crews will be installing dewatering wells on Montvale Avenue near Lindenwood Cemetery in support of upcoming work at the Sweetwater Brook. Lane restrictions will be necessary. Police details will assist with directing traffic.

In the coming weeks, crews will be relocating 500ft of existing Eversource owned distribution duct bank to make space for the new transmission duct bank.

You can speak to the crews, police detail officers, or contact the outreach team to inform them of known deliveries, visitors, or appointments. Additionally, due to weather, or unexpected circumstances, work hours may be extended, or work may be performed on alternative dates.

Daytime construction activity in Woburn will occur between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Steel road plates will be used to safely secure excavated areas at the end of each work shift.

As construction continues, please note that the Woburn Police Department may modify the traffic management plans based on their judgement and expertise. This includes street closures and traffic detours to ensure public safety. Please exercise caution when approaching active work areas to minimize risks to personal safety and to avoid interfering with construction.

Once work in your area is complete, crews will temporarily pave sections of the road. Final restoration activities will occur when the project is complete.

Wakefield

For information specific to Wakefield, please visit the Greater Boston and New Hampshire Solution.

Winchester

Week of 3/20/23
On Cross Street, between Highland View Ave and Pine Grove Park, one crew will conduct test pits to ascertain the locations of underground utilities and soil conditions ahead of planned work for the 2023 construction season.

Please note that crews are pipe proofing the previously installed duct bank. These activities last several days where crews will be set up at two consecutive cable vault (manhole) locations along Washington Street and Cross Street. Police details will assist with directing traffic.

Daytime, in-street construction activities will occur between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Steel road plates will be used to safely secure excavated areas at the end of each work shift.

As construction continues, the Winchester Police Department may modify the traffic management plans based on their judgement and expertise. This includes street closures and traffic detours to ensure public safety. Please exercise caution when approaching active work areas to minimize risks to personal safety and to avoid interfering with construction.

Once work in your area is complete, crews will temporarily pave sections of the road. Final restoration activities will occur when the project is complete.

Woburn

Week of 3/20/23
On Lake Avenue, crews are preparing for an HDD crossing of the Horn Pond Culvert. This week crews will begin welding several sections of pipe into one large segment along Arlington Road while another crew prepares to drill a pilot hole. The pilot hole will then be enlarged to a size suitable for the pipe that houses the transmission cable. Once the pilot hole is enlarged and the pipe has been welded into one complete segment, the pipe is pulled through enlarged hole. Work is expected to continue for several weeks. At least one travel lane will be maintained. Seek alternate routes whenever possible.

Daytime construction activity in Woburn will occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Steel road plates will be used to safely secure excavated areas at the end of each work shift.

As construction continues, please note that the Woburn Police Department may modify the traffic management plans based on their judgement and expertise. This includes street closures and traffic detours to ensure public safety. Please exercise caution when approaching active work areas to minimize risks to personal safety and to avoid interfering with construction.

Once work in your area is complete, crews will temporarily pave sections of the road. Final restoration activities will occur when the project is complete.

Siting Review

The Massachusetts ESFB Petition Filing is part of the regulatory review process, as defined by Massachusetts state statutes.

On February 28, 2018, we received approval from the EFSB to construct the project. See the EFSB 15-04 Final Decision.

Community Outreach

Before starting construction in a community, we mail start of construction letters to property owners along the route. In addition, door-to door outreach is done in advance of each major construction phase to keep property owners informed.

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.