PSEG Long Island is improving the reliability of the energy grid in Ronkonkoma and Lake Ronkonkoma. The storm hardening work on this distribution circuit is part of many system improvements included in the “Power On” program.
“Electric reliability is more important than ever to our customers and PSEG Long Island is busy strengthening the electric lines that directly power homes and businesses,” said Peggy Keane, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Construction and Operations Services. “This Power On infrastructure improvement project in Ronkonkoma and Lake Ronkonkoma is part of our ongoing, multi-year effort to continue to improve electric reliability for our customers.”
The work will begin in early July and will last for approximately one month. PSEG Long Island’s licensed and approved contractors will work along mainline distribution lines in Ronkonkoma and Lake Ronkonkoma. To ensure traffic moves safely, PSEG Long Island will provide cones, flaggers and signage at the worksites as needed. Local officials also will be notified in advance regarding any potential traffic concerns.
The storm-hardening improvements include:
- Stronger poles: PSEG Long Island will replace some existing utility poles with stronger, more durable poles that are capable of withstanding winds up to 135 mph. The new poles will be approximately the same height as the existing poles, have a stronger base and will be placed no more than 5 feet from the current pole locations. PSEG Long Island will actively coordinate the removal of old poles with other utilities and municipalities.
- Narrow profiles: To help wires deflect falling limbs instead of catching them, PSEG Long Island will be installing shorter cross arms atop some poles.
- Stronger wire: Current wire will be replaced with more resilient and durable wire.
- Upgrading: PSEG Long Island will upgrade or replace worn equipment as necessary.
Crews will be working on the following streets in Ronkonkoma and Lake Ronkonkoma:
- Rosevale Avenue between Smithtown Boulevard and Jeremy Circle
- Smithtown Boulevard between Millan Avenue and Warner Lane
As part of our physical distancing protocols, PSEG Long Island asks that customers remain in their homes when crews are working nearby. If customers must speak with our crews or contractors, we ask that they practice responsible social distancing and remain at least 6 feet away to ensure the health of everyone involved. For more information about how PSEG Long Island continues to live up to its commitments during the pandemic, please visit www.psegliny.com/covid19.
PSEG Long Island prepares year-round for extreme weather to maintain reliable service for its 1.1 million customers. Since 2014, the company has made significant investments in strengthening the electric infrastructure. Using funding from both FEMA and LIPA, PSEG Long Island has completed storm hardening and reliability work on more than 900 miles of distribution mainline circuits.
Power On, a five-year program that started in the spring of 2020, continues the work now that the FEMA program has concluded. Since the launch of Power On, more than 214 miles of the most vulnerable distribution mainline circuits on Long Island and in the Rockaways have been storm hardened with stronger poles, thicker wire and other modern equipment.
These investments have strengthened the system so that fewer customers experience outages and, when they do occur, the duration is shorter, especially during extreme weather. From the second quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2022, the sections of circuits that are storm hardened saw a nearly 44% reduction in damage leading to outages compared to the rest of the distribution system.
Power On focuses on mainline circuits, the backbone of PSEG Long Island’s distribution system. The mainlines feed the many branch lines that power the homes and businesses in individual communities.
For more project details, visit https://www.psegliny.com/inthecommunity/currentinitiatives/stormhardeningprojects.
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