PSE&G to Make Upgrades in Springfield

Public Service Electric & Gas Co. (PSE&G) is upgrading and replacing an underground electric transmission circuit in Union County as part of its North Central Reliability Project, the utility announced Tuesday.

The infrastructure upgrade is aimed at continuing to ensure safe, reliable utility service for area residents and business owners. The circuit runs from PSE&G’s West Orange Switching Station through West Orange, Maplewood, Millburn, Springfield, through Union into the Springfield Road Substation. Work along the nine-mile circuit will be completed between January 2014 and June 2014. PSE&G customers will not be impacted during this time.

Starting Thursday, construction activities will begin in the area of Church Mall near Morris Avenue, on Linden Avenue near Wabeno Avenue, and Meisel Avenue near the Meisel Avenue Park. Work is expected to continue through approximately June 6, 2014

To expedite the work, PSE&G has scheduled extended work hours Monday through Friday, with some 24-hour and/or weekend work expected during certain parts of the project. PSE&G noted that the construction dates and scheduled work hours identified are tentative and subject to minimal variations due to the construction process and weather-sensitive work activities. No major road closings are expected, however lane closures with possible detours will be necessary during construction.  If possible, motorists are encouraged to travel an alternate route until the work is completed. Local police will be on-site at all times to oversee new traffic patterns, the utility advised. Interruptions will be kept to a minimum, and PSE&G regrets any inconvenience the project may cause.

In the interest of public safety, PSE&G crews use work area protection including local police department traffic management assistance, traffic cones, barriers, utility work signage, and flaggers, providing safety measures for project completion. The utility reminds motorists to slow down and be alert when driving past a PSE&G worksite.