Eversource
247 Station Drive, SE270
Westwood, MA 02090
Stringing Communication Wire by Helicopter
Walpole to Holbrook Communication Wire
Replacement Maintenance Project
Work to Begin the Week of September 3, 2018
Dear Neighbor,
We’re following up on a postcard we sent you in early Summer about upcoming helicopter work. Since your property is located on or near the power line corridor where this work is taking place, we want to let you know about construction activities as they occur in the area.
Eversource will be upgrading the electric system by installing new communication wire on transmission structures between the West Walpole Substation in Walpole and Holbrook Substation in Holbrook. The wire will improve electric reliability by enabling communication between substations. We’d like to give you some details about this upcoming work.
Reliability Improvements in Your Neighborhood
First, we want you to know that this work is not expected to interrupt electric service to homes or businesses. We do everything in our power to minimize disturbances to your family, your animals, and your property.
Advantages of Using a Helicopter
Over the years, Eversource has learned that the fastest and most efficient way to install the communication wire in areas like yours is by using a helicopter. We can complete the required work in the air, using limited equipment and vehicles on the ground in the power line corridor, resulting in fewer impacts to residents and environmentally sensitive areas.
The helicopter may also be used to transport workers, tools and materials used during the wire-stringing process. In some locations where helicopters can’t fly, we may need to use alternate methods to install wire.
What You Can Expect
The helicopter will be white, tail #N5286J. You will hear some noise as the helicopter flies over the power line corridor, and access to that area will be restricted. For safety reasons, only Eversource and contractor crews will be allowed in the corridor when the helicopter is in the area and during the work activities.
Safe areas for the helicopter to land within the power line corridor have been established ahead of time, so if you see the aircraft coming down on the ground in the corridor, don’t worry – that is part of the normal operations for stringing wires.
There may be brief traffic delays when helicopters are stringing wires over roads and highways. Be assured that there will be traffic control measures at all road crossings to guide drivers and make the areas safe.
Timing for This Work
This helicopter work is scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 4 and is expected to be complete by Saturday, September 15. You may see the helicopter for a few hours at a time Monday-Friday from 7am – 6pm and 9am – 5pm on Saturdays. Due to weather or other unexpected circumstances, the work hours may be extended or be performed on additional Sunday.
Our Commitment to You
We are committed to being a good neighbor and doing our work with respect for you and your property. For more information about this work, please call the Transmission Siting and Construction Services Information Line at 1-800-793-2202 or email us at TransmissionInfo@eversource.com. Thank you.
