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Cape Cod Solution Phase 1: Mid-Cape Reliability
Why Are We Doing This Project?
This project is the first phase of the Cape Cod Solution Program, a group of projects designed to improve the reliability of the electric system serving the Southeastern Massachusetts and Greater Cape Cod areas both today and in the future as more clean energy resources like offshore wind are connected to the grid.
Where Is This Work Being Done?
The new line will be constructed between the Bourne Switching Station and West Barnstable Substation. This project also includes an expansion of the western side of the West Barnstable Substation.
The approved route runs approximately 13 miles within an existing right of way (power line corridor), passing through portions of Bourne, Sandwich and Barnstable.
Traffic Management Plans
When Is The Work Being Done?
- Start of construction: First quarter 2023
- Projected in-service date: Second quarter 2024
*Subject to change
About this project
- Route length: 13 miles
- Line voltage: 115,000-volt (115-kV) transmission line
- Siting review by: Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB)
- Public Open Houses: July 29 and 30, 2019
- EFSB Approval: December 16, 2022
Construction Updates
At the end of January, the construction team utilized helicopters to connect a new transmission line to the local grid. This new line will initially operate at 115 kV but can be increased to 345 kV during Phase II of the project to enable an offshore wind farm to interconnect to the grid.
Bourne
All work in Bourne takes place in the power line corridor within Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC). Crews will be maintaining erosion and sediment controls along the powerline corridor as needed.
Please note that crews have received municipal approval to work extended hours at the Bourne substation, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, March 9 through April 30.
Crews have also received approval to work along the powerline corridor on JBCC from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 20.
Week of April 15
Bourne Substation
- Crews continued to install new equipment within the existing substation to support the interconnection of the new transmission line.
Between Bourne Substation and Route 130
- Crews continued to restore and stabilize areas previously disturbed by construction.
Week of April 22
Bourne Substation
- Crews intend to continue to install new equipment within the existing substation to support the interconnection of the new transmission line.
Between Bourne Substation and Route 130
- Crews continued to restore and stabilize areas previously disturbed by construction.
- Crews continued the installation of the new transmission line.
Sandwich
Crews will be maintaining erosion and sediment controls along the powerline corridor as needed.
Week of April 15
Between Route 130 and Quaker Meetinghouse Road
- Crews continued to conduct select vegetation removal along the southern edge of the right-of-way.
Between Quaker Meetinghouse Road and Mill Road
- Crews continued to conduct select vegetation removal along the southern edge of the right-of-way.
Between Mill Road and Barnstable Town Line
- Crews continued the removal of old distribution equipment along the southern edge of the right-of-way.
Week of April 22
Between Route 130 and Quaker Meetinghouse Road
- Crews intend to continue to conduct selective vegetation removal along the southern edge of the right-of-way.
- Crews intend to continue the installation of the new transmission line.
Between Quaker Meetinghouse Road and Mill Road
- Crews intend to continue to conduct selective vegetation removal along the southern edge of the right-of-way.
- Crews intend to continue the installation of the new transmission line.
Between Mill Road and Barnstable Town Line
- Crews intend to continue the removal of old distribution equipment along the southern edge of the right-of-way.
- Crews intend to begin to conduct select vegetation removal along the southern edge of the right-of-way.
- Crews intend to continue the installation of the new transmission line.
Barnstable
Crews will be maintaining erosion and sediment controls along the powerline corridor as needed. Please note that crews have
received municipal approval to work extended hours at the West Barnstable substation, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, March 16 through May 11.
Week of April 15
Between Barnstable Town Line and Route 149
- Crews continued installation of the new transmission line.
- Crews continued the removal of old distribution equipment along the southern edge of the right-of-way.
Between Route 149 and Oak Street
- Crews continued installation of the new transmission line.
- Crews continued the erection of the new transmission structures.
West Barnstable and Oak Street Substations
- Crews continued the installation of new equipment and foundations to support the interconnection of the new transmission line within the West Barnstable Substation.
- Crews continued to establish the expanded substation fence and access road to accommodate the new equipment.
- Crews continued the installation of the new distribution line.
Week of April 22
Between the Barnstable Town Line and Route 149
- Crews intend to continue the removal of old distribution equipment along the southern edge of the right-of-way.
- Crews intend to continue the installation of the new transmission line.
Between Route 149 and Oak Street
- Crews intend to continue the installation of the new transmission line.
West Barnstable and Oak Street Substations
- Crews intend to continue the installation of new equipment and foundations to support the interconnection of the new transmission line within the West Barnstable Substation.
- Crews intend to continue to establish the expanded substation fence and access road to accommodate the new equipment.
- Crews intend to continue the installation of the new distribution line.
Siting Review
On November 8, 2019, we filed the below documents with the EFSB for approval to construct and operate the new transmission line:
- EFSB Petition Vol. I
- EFSB Petition Vol. II
- EFSB Petition Vol. III
- EFSB Sec. 69 Petition
- DPU Sec. 72 Petition
- DPU Sec. 72 Petition, Attachment A
- DPU Zoning Petition
- DPU Zoning Petition, Attachment A
- DPU Zoning Petition, Attachment B
- DPU Zoning Petition, Attachment C
- DPU Zoning Petition, Attachment D
- Other filing Documents
Through the EFSB process public and other interested stakeholders were given the opportunity to participate through the EFSB-sponsored public hearing. Owners of property abutting and near the project were informed of the EFSB Public Comment Hearing held virtually on June 10, 2020.
The EFSB conducted a remote Siting Board Meeting via Zoom on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 1 p.m. to vote on whether to approve, approve with conditions or reject the project. The EFSB’s Final Decision to approve the project was issued on December 16, 2022.
To learn more about the siting process and how to participate, visit the EFSB website.
Community Outreach
We will continue to engage with town officials, residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders through municipal briefings, door-to-door outreach, site visits and additional meetings as needed – answering questions and listening to concerns about the project. We will also maintain an active field presence during construction.
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.