Project Locations & Information > Greater Springfield Reliability Project : Greater Springfield Reliability Project (GSRP)
Project to improve reliability, ease transmission bottlenecks |
| Click Map to Enlarge |
Today, in the greater Springfield and north-central Connecticut areas, the electric system can become overloaded even during normal operating conditions with all lines in service. The Greater Springfield Reliability Project is designed to address these transmission system reliability problems and meet more stringent federal and regional reliability standards.
The Greater Springfield Reliability Project is one of four major transmission projects that are part of the New England East-West Solution (NEEWS).
Project Route, Regulatory Review and Timing
The locations of the new high-voltage 345-kilovolt (kV) lines are shown on the above map in blue and green. The orange line shows the "noticed alternative route" required by the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB). The project also includes related 115-kV line upgrades.
The route will pass through Bloomfield, East Granby and Suffield, Connecticut, and is proposed to pass through Agawam, Chicopee, Ludlow, Springfield, and West Springfield, Massachusetts. The project’s new lines will be located in existing utility rights-of-way, most of which are currently occupied by one or more overhead lines.
Applications/petitions for the project were filed with the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) and EFSB, respectively. The filings were made in late October 2008, following a period of Municipal Consultation and Public Open Houses.
On March 16, 2010, the CSC voted to approve CL&P's application for the Greater Springfield Reliability Project. The Massachusetts EFSB is expected to issue its decision later this year.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2010 after all of the project's siting plans and permit applications are approved.
Fact Sheet: Greater Springfield Reliability Project
| Number | Description |
| 39 | Corridor miles of new and reconstructed transmission lines:
|
| 2 | States: Connecticut and Massachusetts |
| 3 | Major substation upgrades (2 in Massachusetts, 1 in Connecticut) |
| 2 | New switching stations in Massachusetts |
| $714 million | Estimated project cost |
| 8 | Towns along the project route (3 in Connecticut, 5 in Massachusetts) Connecticut towns: Bloomfield, East Granby, Suffield (approved) Massachusetts towns: Agawam, Chicopee, Ludlow, Springfield, West Springfield (proposed) |
| 10/2008 | Siting applications/petitions filed |
| 3/2010 | Siting approval received in Connecticut |
| 2010 | Massachusetts siting decision expected |
| Late 2010 | Estimated construction start |
| 2013 | Estimated in-service date |
Communications and Public Outreach
Beginning with the Municipal Consultation and community outreach efforts related to the Greater Springfield Reliability Project, Northeast Utilities has made a concerted effort to engage town officials, residents, businesses and other stakeholders to inform, answer questions and listen to concerns about the project.
As work proceeds into and throughout construction, we will continue these outreach efforts. For more information on our community outreach and other public involvement opportunities in Connecticut and Massachusetts, please see the Public Involvement – Connecticut and Public Involvement – Massachusetts pages. The Public Involvement - Connecticut page includes information about our Development & Management (D&M) process.
Construction Updates
Construction on the Greater Springfield Reliability Project is expected to start in late 2010. As the project gets closer to construction, CL&P will post timely updates on construction activities. Please visit this site again later this year for those updates.
