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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 September 11
Montvale Avenue:
Between Ledgewood Drive and Lindenwood Cemetery, crews are excavating to connect a section of duct bank underneath the culvert and relocating underground utilities (water lines) at the work zone. The culvert installation will begin soon. Crews are working from Monday to Saturday.
Elm Street:
At the corner of Main and Elm Street, crews will be installing the new transmission line by way of “cable pulling and splicing” over the next several weeks. Crews will be set up at two previously installed manholes to pull the cable from one manhole to the next, and so on.
General work hours are Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 5 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 September 11
There will be no work on Monday, Sept. 4, for Labor Day.
Cross Street
Between Forest Street and Cardinal Street, one crew will be restoring the HDD exit pit and begin excavating to install a small section of duct bank tying into where crews completed work last season.
Between the Cross Street Bridge and Holton Street, one crew will be restoring the HDD entrance pit and begin excavating to install a small section of duct bank tying into where crews completed work last season.
Between the Woburn City line and Cleveland Road, two crews are excavating and installing duct bank toward each other, meeting at Wendell Street. From Loring Ave, travelling west, local access will follow a one-lane alternating traffic pattern. All other vehicles will follow the detour route on Loring Avenue and Swanton Street. Entrance to Cross Street via Main Street will be closed and eastbound traffic will detour to Swanton Street and Loring Avenue. Crews are working in this area from Monday to Saturday.
General work hours are Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Saturday between 7 a.m. to 5 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 September 11
Lake Avenue
Between the Horn Pond Boat Launch and Cove Street, crews are backfilling and temporarily repaving the road. Starting soon, in the same area, 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 a one-lane alternating traffic pattern around the work zones. Detours may utilize Arlington Road.
General work hours are Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 5 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.