By Richard Kaufman
The Town of Greenwich and Eversource have reached an agreement to settle the legal challenge to the construction of a new Eversource substation and transmission lines in central Greenwich.
On Friday during its meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the settlement of the appeal that was filed in Superior Court in 2017.
“The Town of Greenwich is pleased that this matter has been resolved in a manner that addresses key issues of concern raised by the Town and its professional staff,” Tesei said in a press release from the town.
“The design of the project will safeguard many of the Town’s natural resources including Bruce Park and the adjacent inlets of Long Island Sound, protect critical Town infrastructure including its waste water system as well as address the aesthetic concerns raised during this negotiation process.”
The Greenwich Substation and Line Project includes constructing a new substation at 290 Railroad Avenue and installing two new 115-kilovolt (kV) underground transmission lines that will connect the new substation to Eversource’s existing Cos Cob Substation on Sound Shore Drive.
Many in town felt the project would damage the aesthetics of the area, and disrupt natural resources.
Key settlement components are related to the construction of an architectural wall and landscaping around the new substation, as well as details regarding the construction of a pedestrian bridge in Bruce Park to support the new transmission lines. In addition, the settlement addresses work hours, traffic management and restoration of areas affected by the project. Eversource will work with community leaders and property owners where work is being done to mitigate potential impacts. The project is expected to be completed in 2020.
“We’re pleased we were able to reach a solution that is amenable for all involved,” said Eversource Vice President of Project Management, Steve Sullivan, in the press release. “This agreement is a significant step toward further strengthening the electric system in Greenwich to ensure our customers have reliable power during heat waves, prolonged severe cold snaps and other peak times of high energy use. This plan will allow us to meet their energy needs while being sensitive to neighborhood aesthetics.”
Eversource will soon begin working in the vicinity of Exit 4 (Indian Field Road/Cos Cob) on I-95.
This work will be done at night and may require an occasional lane closure along the highway near Exit 4 as well as the sporadic closing of the northbound or southbound Exit 4 ramp. All Exit 4 on and off-ramps will not be closed at the same time. Eversource is coordinating closely with the Connecticut Department of Transportation to ensure public safety during road or ramp closures. Signs will be posted approaching the locations to help manage the flow of traffic.
Weather permitting, work will take place Sunday through Thursday, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. beginning the week of June 17. Drivers can expect possible delays beginning the week of June 17 through the end of October.
