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Council grants two National Grid petitions for new conduit on River Street; councilors urge coordination with transmission work
Summary
After two public hearings, the Beverly City Council approved National Grid petitions to install new duct banks/conduits on River Street and asked the company to coordinate timing with other planned utility and state projects to limit repeated street disruptions.
The Beverly City Council on Tuesday granted two National Grid petitions to install new underground conduit (duct bank) segments on River Street and urged the utility to coordinate timing with other planned work in the corridor.
The petitions—filed as Order 59 (National Grid petition 30473249) and Order 60 (National Grid petition 30926878)—were the subject of public hearings at which a National Grid representative described the work as installation of new conduit for primary feeders exiting the company’s substation at 44 River Street. After brief council questioning, both petitions were approved on motions carried 8–0.
National Grid representative Michael Casati (first hearing) and a second representative identified as Michael Kazadi (second hearing) described the conduit installations as new infrastructure tied to the utility’s distribution system. A councilor asked whether the conduit replaces an existing duct; Casati said the conduits are brand new though manholes already exist. When asked how long a single conduit installation would take, the National Grid representative estimated “max probably a week.”
Councilors emphasized the need for calendar coordination with other major projects on River Street, including MassDOT bridge work and a separate National Grid transmission‑line project that will remove older lines from the corridor. Councilor Spang asked the utility to coordinate so the street is not closed repeatedly; Councilor Bowen asked for a traffic‑management plan given the proximity to multiple construction zones. The utility said it intends to provide police details to regulate traffic during work.
Actions - Order 59 (National Grid petition 30473249): Petition to install 85 feet of new duct bank from National Grid property to existing MH‑1 on River Street and 15 feet to MH‑2; referred to a public hearing and then granted by council vote 8–0. - Order 60 (National Grid petition 30926878): Petition to install 75 feet of new duct bank from National Grid property to existing MH‑1A on River Street; referred to a public hearing and then granted by council vote 8–0.
Councilors said they will follow up with National Grid and staff to ensure work windows and traffic plans are coordinated to limit disruption to River Street, Weber Avenue and neighboring corridors.
