A helicopter hovering over the Delaware River near Chester, PA, is replacing an electric transmission line that links Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey for stronger regional grid reliability.
PECO said the 230-kV transmission line crosses the river atop utility towers from near Highland Ave. in Chester to the opposite shore, near Old Ferry Ave. in Bridgeport, NJ, where it will connect with an electric substation owned and operated by Atlantic Electric Co. The work activity is just down river from Rt. 322 and the Commodore Barry Bridge. The line that crosses the river is a special wire at a high tension to be able to stay above the shipping channel.
The 3.8-mi transmission line replacement project was ordered by the PJM Interconnection LLC, which operates the wholesale energy market and regional transmission system covering 13 states and the District of Columbia. PJM said the utility line upgrade was needed to meet increased electric loads on the line projected by summer 2010. PECO also installed new switchgear at three Delaware County substations (in Chester, Chichester and Trainer) to accommodate the higher electric capacity. Fiber optic lines also were installed to update the protective relays and communications facilities between the substations.
The transmission line between Chester, PA, and Bridgeport, NJ, is one of six river crossing connections between PECO and New Jersey in the PECO service territory.
PECO contracted with M.J. Electric Inc., Infrasource, Quanta Line Services, and Winco Power Line Services to assist with the project.
