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The River Valley Reliability Project (RVRP) proposes to complete required upgrades to an existing electric transmission line, known as the W149 Line, over a length of approximately 44.2 miles, with work to be conducted within National Grid’s existing right-of-way (ROW). The RVRP will replace aging wood pole structures with modern steel structures, relocate and replace structures as needed, and reconductor approximately 39.6 miles of line. Replacing the conductor and structures will improve electric reliability throughout the region, thereby reducing future maintenance and repair costs. It will also provide the infrastructure for additional capacity that may be required to meet future electric energy needs in the area. Upgrades to the W149 Line will help National Grid continue to provide safe and reliable energy to all residents in the region.
The W149 Line originates at the Bellows Falls Switchyard in Rockingham, VT and ends at the Wilder Switchyard in Hartford, VT. In New Hampshire, the line follows the ROW between Walpole and Lebanon including the towns of Walpole, Charlestown, Claremont, Cornish, Plainfield, and Lebanon.
Throughout the planning phase of this project, National Grid will be working closely with every community along the route to ensure proactive communication and information sharing with residents and businesses. National Grid encourages all who are interested to consider signing up for the project email newsletter to receive updates.
The W149 Line originates at the Bellows Falls Switchyard in Rockingham, VT and ends at the Wilder Switchyard in Hartford, VT. In New Hampshire, the line follows the ROW between Walpole and Lebanon including the towns of Walpole, Charlestown, Claremont, Cornish, Plainfield, and Lebanon.
The RVRP plans to implement necessary upgrades to the W149 Line which has been in service since 1948 and was refurbished in 2008. The W149 Line experiences frequent outages due to many factors. The goal of the RVRP is to redesign and rebuild the structures to reduce conditions in the ROW that cause those outages.
Most of the performance issues experienced on the W149 Line are due to tree contacts. As a result, vegetation management and tree removal within the ROW will be a necessary part of this project. The project also plans to realign new structures further away from the tree line to minimize the potential for future tree contact that result in service interruptions.
The overall goal of the RVRP is to improve the structural integrity of the W149 line and minimize the potential for outages caused by damage from tree contact and other factors that can adversely impact long term reliability.
Permitting Start: Spring 2024
Construction Start: December 2026
Construction Complete: April 2030
*Project dates are all anticipated and subject to change.
Our project team is committed to working with host communities, residents, businesses, landowners, elected officials, and community groups throughout the application, proposal, siting, and construction processes.
We also understand that communities deserve comprehensive conversations and two-way communication about our work. Through local presentations, town-based community meetings, one-on-one discussions, mailings, a comprehensive website, toll-free hotline number, and other methods we will provide timely, detailed information to individuals and groups interested in the proposal. Above all, our team is committed to ongoing, open conversations about our work every step of the way.
We will continue to update this website as the project progresses and will continue to send project information via mail to project abutters. Please feel free to let us know if you would like to receive project information by mail if you have not received our mailers. You can also call (833) 874-6988 or email outreach@rivervalleyreliabilityproject.com and a team member will reach out to you to further discuss your inquiry or concerns.
