Upgrades To Protect Electrical System From Storms In Westbury

WESTBURY, NY — Crews are working to improve the energy grid in Westbury. The storm hardening project, which started in mid-January, is expect to last two months, PSEG Long Island said.

Work will take place on:

• Drexel Avenue between Ivy Avenue and Grand Street
• Ivy Avenue between Drexel Avenue and Maple Avenue
• St. Brigids Lane south of Drexel Avenue

"We are working hard to reduce the number of outages that occur during severe weather by strengthening the electric lines that directly power homes and businesses," said Peggy Keane, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Construction and Operations Services.

Improvements include:

• Stronger poles: PSEG Long Island will replace some existing utility poles with stronger, more durable poles that are capable of withstanding winds up to 135 mph.
• Narrow profiles: To help wires deflect falling limbs instead of catching them, PSEG Long Island will installing shorter cross arms atop some poles.
• Stronger wire: Current wire will be replaced with more resilient and durable wire.