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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. You can sign up for routine email updates about project construction.
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.
* 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: Fourth 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 is not expected to interrupt electric service to homes or businesses.
Stoneham
Week of October 2
Montvale Avenue:
Between Ledgewood Drive and Lindenwood Cemetery, crews are reinstalling underground utilities (water lines).
As early as the week of 10/9, crews will begin replacing a town-owned, stone culvert. Replacement of the culvert will occur in two phases; each phase will necessitate setting up a fixed work zone on Montvale Avenue during daytime construction hours.
- Phase 1: A lane restriction will be necessary for eastbound travel towards Stoneham.
- Phase 2: A lane restriction will be necessary for westbound travel towards Woburn.
Elm Street:
Crews will install the new transmission through “cable pulling and splicing” on Elm Street and Main Street. Crews set up at MH14 (intersection of Main Street and Elm Street), MH15 (intersection of Elm Street and High Street), and MH16 (Elm Street across from St. Patrick's Cemetery).
General work hours are Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Lane restrictions will be necessary and clearly posted in advance. Steel road plates will be used to safely secure excavated areas at the end of each work shift.
As construction continues, the 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 October 2
Cross Street
Between the Cross Street Bridge and Holton Street, one crew will continue excavating to install a small section of duct bank, tying into where crews completed work last season, then reinstall a section of town-owned utilities.
From Main Street toward Wendell Street, one crew will be working to restore a section of recently installed duct bank and continue excavating toward the manhole.
From Cleveland Road toward Wendell Street, one crew will be working to restore a section of recently installed duct bank and continue excavating toward the manhole.
Between Highland View Avenue and River Street, crew will begin installing the remaining section of duct bank on Cross Street. Crews are currently preparing to install a water bypass system before the duct bank is placed in the roadway. The bypass system will be necessary until the section of duct bank is completely installed.
General work hours are Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lane restrictions will be necessary and clearly posted in advance. Steel road plates will be used to safely secure excavated areas at the end of each work shift.
As construction continues, the 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.
Woburn
Week of October 2
Lake Avenue
Between the Eversource substation and Cove Street, crews will begin installing the transmission line via “cable pulling and splicing” which does not require excavation.
Between Arlington Road and Pickering Street, one crew is excavating and installing duct bank. Vehicles will follow one-lane of traffic around the work zones. Detours will utilize Arlington Road.
General work hours are Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Lane restrictions will be necessary and clearly posted in advance. Steel road plates will be used to safely secure excavated areas at the end of each work shift.
As construction continues, the 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.
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.