Norwalk, Conn., transmission lines relocated underground for CTDOT bridge upgrade
(UI) — Eversource has completed the relocation of two high-voltage electric transmission lines from the aging WALK Bridge in Norwalk to underground tunnels beneath the Norwalk River, enabling the next phase of the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (CTDOT) bridge replacement project.
The move is designed to strengthen grid reliability, support faster and more dependable rail service along the Northeast Corridor, and improve resilience against severe weather. The bridge, which carries more than 2,000 passenger trains daily, is being replaced as part of a broader state effort to modernize transportation infrastructure.
“This project is a foundational step toward building a faster, more reliable rail system in Connecticut and a testament to how upgrading the electric transmission system is a strategic investment in the state’s economic future,” said Bill Quinlan, Eversource president of transmission and offshore wind projects.
The relocation, which broke ground in mid-2023, required years of planning with CTDOT, Norwalk city officials, and local stakeholders. The final underground route was selected in 2022 to meet electrical reliability standards while minimizing environmental and community impacts.
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling said moving the lines underground will help the community withstand future storms. “Above-ground power lines are more vulnerable to harsh weather conditions,” Rilling said.
CTDOT Deputy Commissioner Laoise King added that the move reduces long-term maintenance needs and is “a critical infrastructure step” in advancing the WALK Bridge replacement.
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