March 4, 2014

CT Construction Digest MArch 4, 2014

CL&P to begin work on new transmission line

Connecticut Light & Power is about to begin work in preparation on a new transmission line project through the eastern part of the state that will link up with a similar project being done by National Grid in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Jointly know as the Interstate Reliability Project, the collaborative effort between the two utilities will improve electric reliability in Connecticut and southern New England. CL&P is about to begin clearing the right-of-way and creating access roads for its portion of the project. The Rhode Island and Massachusetts portions of the new transmission line, which will be constructed by National Grid, will extend approximately 38 miles. The Connecticut portion of the project, which will be constructed by CL&P, includes the creation of a new overhead 345-kilovolt transmission line on 37 miles of existing right-of-way through 11 towns from Lebanon to the Rhode Island border in Thompson. The project also includes upgrades to substations in Lebanon and Killingly.   The estimated cost of the project is $218 million. The full project is expected to be in-service by the end of 2015.

Hydro power compnany presents plans for possible facility at Meriden's Hanover Dam

MERIDEN — Representatives from a Massachusetts-based hydro power company will present preliminary findings today about the possibility of operating a hydro power generating system at Hanover Dam.  New England Hydropower Company LLC identified Hanover Dam as one of several dams that could generate between 50 kilowatts and one megawatt of electricity.
“It looks like it fell in a nice place,” said Chris Conover, spokesman for the two-year-old company. “That dam came up looking good.”  Representatives from the company will address members of the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association and the general public at the QRWA headquarters at 6:30 p.m. and answer questions about the potential operation and its impact. The idea for the hydro generation plant originated with the city’s Energy Task Force whose members wondered if the dam would make for a viable project, said member Stephen Montemurro. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING

 Stonnington vote on Dean Mill School roof repair

Stonington - Residents will vote on whether the town should spend $1.2 million to fix the leaky roof at Deans Mill School at a town meeting slated for March 18 at 7 p.m. at the high school.
Approving the expenditure will not increase the current budget or tax rate as the money would be taken from the town's $11.7 million undesignated fund balance, which is designed to help the town deal with emergencies. The Board of Education had originally asked the finance board to approve $569,000 to fix the five sections of the roof that are now leaking. But finance board members said it makes more sense to replace the entire roof now because all of it is wet, past its life expectancy and could soon start leaking. A large group of Deans Mill staff and parents have pressed town and school officials to fix the problem. Tarps now hang from leaky ceilings in the school to collect water and drain them through hoses into trash buckets. Roof sections over the cafeteria, gym, library, office and a classroom are in the worst condition. The project will also add a pitch to the flat roof so water flows off of it. The roof over the library could be replaced during April vacation with the majority of the work done this summer.

Hamden's Town Hall garage nearly complete

HAMDEN >> The last piece to the renovations of Memorial Town Hall is the completion of a parking garage, and officials say it’s “almost finished.”  The $2 million garage could be open as soon next month, said Joseph DiSanti, construction monitor.  Unanimously approved at Monday night’s Legislative Council meeting, the two-level garage will see addition of new features such as protective paneling on the upper level and a security fence on the lower level.  The upper level will be designated for public parking and the lower level for police cruisers.  The new garage will have approximately 188 parking spaces, with 99 spaces designated for the public.  The safety enhancements will total “up to” $108,870 including the funding for a fence partition at the bike storage area, installation of a property line fence at the Eye Medical and Surgical Building, installation of hydraulic gate closers and a partition at the garage’s sallyport.
The lower-level fencing will be used to protect public safety vehicles, according to Curt Leng, chief administrator officer.   CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING