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Council OKs Eversource underground transmission work with police-detail, restoration conditions
Summary
After a public hearing, the New Bedford City Council approved orders for Eversource/NSTAR to install underground transmission lines on Pine, MacArthur, Walnut and adjacent streets, imposing conditions that police details be present during construction and that permanent street restoration occur within the project’s two‑year window.
The New Bedford City Council on July 17 approved a package of orders allowing Eversource (NSTAR Electric) to install underground electric transmission lines and related equipment along a multi‑mile route that includes Pine Street, McArthur Drive, Walnut Street, County Street and adjacent segments.
The action followed a public hearing during which Eversource representatives described the work as replacement of two aging 115 kV transmission lines and associated infrastructure. John Perron of Cornerstone Energy Services and Anthony (community relations for the project) told the council the existing lines were built in the 1950s and that the work will improve system reliability. “We negotiated with the city of New Bedford. … We brought that dollar amount up up to nearly $15,000,000,” Anthony told the council, referencing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that the company said is “pretty much 99% complete.”
Council members and residents asked about traffic control, the sequencing of work, and business impacts. Irving Chura, a construction representative, said civil construction would be phased: crews will trench, install conduits, and perform temporary restoration during the work, with permanent “curb to curb” restoration after the civil phase. Chura estimated roughly 2 miles of civil construction could be completed in a 12‑month period and said the whole route is about 4.2 miles, making the project slightly over two years in duration.
Business owners in the project corridor raised concerns about lost customers and access. George Eunice, owner of a business at 490 County Street, asked whether work could be done at night; Anthony replied that night work in residential neighborhoods would not be feasible but said the company’s project services team would work with affected businesses to minimize impacts and to develop agreed schedules before disrupting driveways.
Councilor Linda Morad moved to adopt and grant approval for items 1 through 9A with two conditions: (1) a police detail on site whenever construction is active, and (2) that, whenever feasible, segments be brought to full restoration within the two‑year timeframe referenced in the MOU. Councilor Joseph Lopes seconded the motion; the mayor’s office will provide copies of the MOU to council members on request. The motion passed (voice vote).
Why it matters: The work replaces transmission lines that Eversource said “have much exceeded [their] life expectancy,” and the company and city said the MOU will require substantial public‑realm restoration if construction impacts streets and sidewalks.
What happens next: Eversource said it expects to begin civil work in August, subject to final agreements and permitting. The council asked for copies of the MOU and emphasized ongoing coordination with the city’s project services and business‑impact teams.
Quotes attributed to meeting speakers are drawn from the council transcript of July 17, 2024.
