PSEG is forging ahead with its reliability project, erecting the 85-foot poles along Northern Boulevard on the Munsey Park side of the road. In marked contrast to the existing landscape, the poles stand like sentinels of progress to provide the infrastructure to support the usage of the pennisula.
The project, which began in February, is rapidly moving forward. According to local officials, PSEG LI sent notification of the project in mid-December 2013 to local villages as well as the Town of North Hempstead. The project has already progressed up Port Washington Boulevard and approximately three miles of road has been modified.
The existing transmission line from Port Washington to Great Neck runs along the Long Island Rail Road right of way. The new lines, which will run above ground in Port Washington and Manhasset, will run along Port Washington Boulevard onto Northern Boulevard onto Maple Street by Manhasset Valley Park and go below ground once they reach Great Neck. This project is taking place because a 69 kV transmission line from Glenwood to Bar Beach is being terminated. The effect of this action will create an overload condition on the existing Port Washington to Great Neck line. Why the Glenwood transmission line is being terminated is not clear.
PSEG LI officials met with area residents at Harbor Links on Monday, March 26 to discuss the project. When asked about running the lines underground, David Daley, president of the utility, said local taxpayers will have to pick up the cost for underground lines through Manhasset and Port Washington—even though the cost of the underground line affecting Great Neck residents is already incorporated in the $7 million project.
According to an email issued by the Village of Munsey Park, the village has no power to halt work along Northern Boulevard, a state road.
“We are concerned about any new project’s impact on residents’ safety, the environment and community aesthetics,” the email reads. “Munsey Park has no jurisdiction to stop the project. However, the Village Board has been and will continue to work with PSEG LI and our local officials to explore all options and alternatives.” The board will report on those efforts at the next public meeting, on April 9.
In an area heavily impacted by Hurricane Sandy and Irene, the Manhasset community is saying very little about the poles popping up.
As a result of these catastrophic storms, numerous trees have been cut down by homeowners stemming from problems with falling trees and branches.
A feasibility study about the high voltage wires being placed underground will be voted on at the Tuesday April 1 Town of North Hempstead Town Board meeting.
In the meantime, PSEG LI continues with their aggressive timetable of completing the “Reliability Project” by May 2014.
