Project Highlights
Project Overview
install 7.3 miles of 115-kV transmission lines on 102 NEW poles ranging in height from 95-195 ft from just east of Sasco Creek in Southport, to Congress Street Substation in Bridgeport, CT - this is 1 part of a larger 5 phase project that runs from New Haven to Fairfield.
new transmission lines/poles to be located south of the existing lines that run on top of the railroad catenaries
drill/build 40 ft deep foundations to support the new independent single-or double-circuit monopoles
require 19.25 acres of permanent utility easements, taking land rights from residents, businesses, organizations, and municipalities
clear 6.5 acres of vegetation along the corridor (5.5 of which will be permanent)
What does this mean to me and the Fairfield/Southport community?
Loss of private and public property - The rights to 19.25 acres of land will be taken from citizens, businesses, organizations and municipalities (including several historically designated sites) by UI via PERMANENT utility easements. These easements will strip individuals and entities of the right to install, build, or plant on these areas, while still obligating them to pay associated taxes. Moreover, these easements pose the risk of reclassifying certain properties as non-conforming, potentially leading to complete seizure. Additionally, the permanent and superior nature of these easements grants the utility unrestricted rights to utilize the property indefinitely. As a result, even if the initial purpose is limited to overhead transmission lines, the utility retains the authority to later expand usage to include construction of maintenance roads or other more intrusive activities, leaving property owners without recourse.
Economic impact - Property values will diminish due to the visual blight, while local businesses will suffer from loss of property use for vital functions such as parking, and disruptions during transmission line maintenance. Business growth prospects will be (and already have been) hampered or lost entirely due to easements and associated setbacks. These impacts will inevitably affect the town's tax revenue and its attractiveness to both new businesses and residents.
Adverse impact to visual aesthetic and historical resources - since the NEW massive 100-145 ft poles and power lines through Fairfield will run along the railroad tracks (as compared to the existing 60-80 ft tall lines housed over top of the railroad tracks), the historic charm of our community will be forever marred. The poles will be installed in historically and archeologically significant areas and the lines will run over top of multiple sites that are on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Significant deforestation - 6.5 acres of tree will be removed, 5.5 acres of which will be permanent - so much of the vegetation that currently serves as a visual barrier between the community and train / power infrastructure will disappear.
Health and environmental concerns - Ongoing maintenance of the widened UI corridor will require additional pesticides and herbicides to kill the surrounding vegetation, thus posing environmental concerns, particularly in delicate ecosystems like wetlands, estuaries, and the Long Island Sound. These chemicals will blow into nearby yards and playgrounds, posing health concerns for families/children who live and play there.
Safety concerns - With the acceleration of climate change surpassing expectations, increased intensity of weather events, and projections of more extreme heat in our area, there are increased risks of wildfires (due to extreme heat as well as high speed winds that could topple towers and lines), particularly because the towers/lines will be located in densely populated, largely residential areas.
Timing
Project Approval Decision - occurred 2/14/24
(Phase 1- Ash Creek Substation to Congress Street Substation)
Engineering – 90% design anticipated Q2 2024
Submission of D&M Plan - Q4 2024
Construction Start - Q1 2025
In-service - Q3 2029
(Phase 2- Sasco Creek to Ash Creek Substation)
Engineering – 30% Q1 2025
Submission of D&M Plan - Q1 2027
Construction Start - TBD
In-service - TBD