PSEG Long Island is improving the reliability of the energy grid in Hauppauge, Nesconset, Hicksville, Locust Valley and Lattingtown. This is one of many system improvements included in the “Power On” program.
“PSEG Long Island knows electric reliability is more important than ever to our customers. Through Power On, we are strengthening the electric lines that directly power homes and businesses, making them more resilient during storms,” said Peggy Keane, vice-president, construction and operations services, PSEG Long Island. “This infrastructure improvement project in Hauppauge, Nesconset, Hicksville, Locust Valley and Lattingtown is part of our ongoing, multi-year effort to continue to improve electric reliability for our customers.”
Beginning in September and lasting for approximately one month, PSEG Long Island’s licensed and approved contractors will work along 0.49 miles of mainline distribution lines in Hauppauge, 3.6 miles in Nesconset, 0.45 miles in the Hicksville area, 0.52 miles in Locust Valley and 0.17 miles of mainline distribution lines in Lattingtown, approximately.
To ensure traffic moves safely, PSEG Long Island will provide cones, flaggers and signage at the work sites as needed. Local officials also will be notified in advance regarding any potential traffic concerns.
The storm-hardening 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. The new poles will be approximately the same height as the existing poles, have a stronger base and will be placed no more than five feet from the current pole locations. PSEG Long Island will actively coordinate the removal of old poles with other utilities and municipalities.
- Narrow profiles: To help wires deflect falling limbs instead of catching them, PSEG Long Island will be installing shorter cross arms atop some poles.
- Stronger wire: Current wire will be replaced with more resilient and durable wire.
- Upgrading: PSEG Long Island will upgrade or replace deteriorated equipment as necessary.
Crews will be working on the following streets:
Hauppauge:
- Blydenburgh Road between Estelle Avenue and Milmay Avenue
- Express Drive North (Long Island Expressway) between Veterans Memorial Highway and Blydenburgh Road
Nesconset:
- East Main Street (Middle Country Road/Route 25) between Hemlock Lane North and John Jones Lane
- Terry Road between East Main Street and Florence Avenue
- Smithtown Bypass/Route 347 between Terry Road and intersection at Lake Avenue and Nesconset-Port Jefferson Highway
- Lake Avenue between Smithtown Bypass crossing over Gibbs Pond Road to Browns Road
- Browns Road between Gibbs Pond Road and Doyle Street
Hicksville:
- Jerusalem Avenue between 2nd Street and 7th Street
- Jerusalem Avenue between Winding Road and South Dean Street
Locust Valley:
- The Intersection of 13th Street and Cross Street
- Cross Street between Lattingtown Road and Second Street
- 10th Street between Lattingtown Road and just south of Cross Street
- Birch Hill Road between Davis Street and Cherry Street
- Bayville Road between just north of Buckram Road to Long Island Rail Road Right of Way
- Long Island Rail Road Right of Way (rear property along Buckram Road) between Bayville Road and Matinecock Court
Lattingtown:
- Lattingtown Road from west of Old Tappan Road to Parish Road
- Old Tappan Road from just west of Overlook Road to Lattingtown Road
- Feeks Lane from Coot Road to East of Coot Road
As part of the physical distancing protocols, PSEG Long Island asked that customers remain in their homes when crews are working nearby. If customers must speak with the crews or contractors, they were asked to practice responsible social distancing and remain at least six feet away to ensure the health of everyone involved.
Since 2014, PSEG Long Island has been strengthening the electric infrastructure that serves its 1.1 million customers. Using funding from FEMA, PSEG Long Island has completed storm hardening and reliability work on more than 900 miles of distribution mainline circuits. Storm-hardened circuits have seen a significant reduction in storm damage and 35% fewer outages.
Power On, a five-year program that started in the spring of 2020, continues the work now that the FEMA program has concluded. Since the launch of Power On, more than 59 miles of the most vulnerable distribution mainline circuits on Long Island and in the Rockaways have been storm hardened with stronger poles, thicker wire and other modern equipment.
Power On focuses on mainline circuits, the backbone of PSEG Long Island’s distribution system. The mainlines feed the many branch lines that power the homes and businesses in individual communities.
For more project details, click here.
