Upgrades to Substation Coming this Fall, PSE&G Says

As part of their massive $3.9 billion, 10-year proposed infrastructure plan, called "Energy Strong," PSE&G will be running underground transformer lines from the New Milford substation to the River Edge Swim Club, officials reported at the meeting of the River Edge Mayor and Council Monday evening.

The plan, prompted by the effects of Superstorm Sandy that left residents in River Edge, Oradell and New Milford without power and gas for 10 days, includes raising, relocating or protecting all switching and substations affected by recent storms as well as those in newly designated flood zones, moving 20 miles of overhead electric distribution lines underground, reinforcing overhead power lines to withstand sustained 65 mph winds, replacing and modernizing 750 miles of gas mains near flood areas, and deploying "smart-grid technologies" to better monitor operations to more swiftly employ repair teams.

Borough engineer Robert Costa reported that PSE&G representatives said the New Milford-River Edge project will take 7 to 14 days to complete, causing no interruption of service. Costa said that the only excavation will be by the River Edge Swim Club and the boat ramp. Costa said that PSE&G has scheduled to begin the work sometime between September and December.

And if there is one thing that residents along the Hackensack and reservoirs know, it's that historically, September through December is hurricane and flood season.  

Patch will provide updates to this story as they occur.

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