Eversource Project Begins This Week

Eversource Energy is undertaking a large project in Melrose that is beginning this month. This project is designed to improve the reliability of the electric system serving the greater Boston and surrounding areas and will take 18 to 24 months to complete. The project involves replacing existing 345 kilovolt underground transmission cables. There are two lines that run parallel for about 6.1 miles between the Mystic Substation in Everett and the Golden Hills Substation in Saugus. The majority of the work will take place at existing underground vault locations within city streets or sidewalks, as well as inside the substations. Excavation will be necessary in some areas.

In Melrose, the bulk of the work will take place in four locations:

• Howard Street between Sunset Road and Carlida Road
• Main Street near Upham Street across from City Hall
• Main Street at Potomac Street
• Green Street near Linden Road

Excavation work is beginning on Monday, December 9, 2019 on Howard Street between Sunset Road and Carlida Road and is expected to last until December 23^rd. The first week of work will be performed with alternating lanes of traffic in the work area between the hours of 7 AM and 3 PM. Starting on Monday, December 16, 2019, Howard Street westerly (into Melrose) will be detoured onto Carlida Road to Boardman Avenue.  At the intersection of Boardman at Cochrane, drivers will have the choice of either continuing down Boardman to Main Street, or turning left onto Cochrane and continuing back to Howard Street. This highly delicate work, as well as the detour, will remain in effect around the clock until Monday, December 23^rd. Melrose Police, as well as the Department of Public Works, will be monitoring this work.

This project is being performed by Eversource’s contractors, Bond Brothers and W.A. Chester. The notice attached below was provided to residents in the immediate project area. If you have questions about the project, please contact Eversource’s project hotline at 1-800-793-2202 or send an email to projectinfo@eversource.com. Eversource has indicated that they are committed to being a good neighbor and doing the work with respect to the residents of Melrose. The best way to address any issues with the project is to contact Eversource directly using the phone number or email address listed here. However, if you have any concerns that you feel they have not adequately addressed, you may contact the Melrose Engineering Division at 781-979-4172 to discuss those concerns. Thank you for your patience during this important work.

See the attached memo for more information.