S19 Project Description

The 11.3-mile-long S19 Asset Condition Replacement (ACR) project will begin construction in the Summer 2025 with targeted replacement of eighty-five deteriorating wood structures with steel structures. Sixty-eight of the wood pole structures will be upgraded to light-duty suspension structures and seventeen wood poles structures will be replaced with custom steel dead-end structures installed on concrete caisson foundations. Dead-end structures will also be upgraded to carry 115kV loads to support a future rebuild of the entire line. Maintenance repairs will also be conducted at twenty-six structure locations to address deteriorating conditions and the impact of woodpecker damage. These efforts involve replacing damaged structures with new steel alternatives, including the replacement of cross arms and other hardware throughout the transmission line. Existing structures will be removed when the new structures are in place. Improvements to existing access routes are also required to facilitate construction and future maintenance.

Approximately 30% of the wood poles were manufactured prior to 1980. While some date back to a 2005 refurbishment project, most of the conductor is from the 1980s. Over the past 22 years, the line has faced 17 outages, including 11 momentary interruptions and 6 sustained interruptions, primarily due to lightning and tree-related events. The ACR project will address the need for improved system reliability.

Construction is expected to last until July 2026, with final restoration efforts continuing until Spring 2027. The Project will crosse Route 146, Singletary Avenue in Sutton, Sutton Avenue in Oxford, Sutton Road, and Interstate 395 in Webster. The S19 line connects the East Webster Substation in Webster to Millbury #1 Substation in Millbury. Public outreach in the communities of Millbury, Sutton, Oxford, and Webster, Massachusetts, has been ongoing,