Weston played a critical role on the Sewaren to Metuchen 345-kilovolt (kV) utility line upgrade project. The utility line upgrade consisted of the replacement of 42 existing lattice towers with new monopoles and reconductoring and improvements to existing electrical substations located along the right-of-way (ROW). The project also required upgrades of line-tapped transformers at four substations.Weston worked with the power utility client, multiple contractors, and regulatory agencies to keep the project within permit compliance and on schedule. Any non-compliance issues would have created a delay in the project and jeopardized the in-service date of the line.
Our on-site representative was a member of the client’s project management team for the duration of the project and provided consistent oversight. In the early phases of the project, Weston provided review of pre-construction plans to ensure permit conditions were sufficient to meet the construction requirements. During construction, Weston provided environmental monitoring and project management support services to confirm contractor compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and permits. Our team member assisted with activities, such as scheduling and contract modifications as they relate to changing environmental and permit conditions in the field. Also, we managed the contractor’s dealing with environmental regulations, such as lead remediation and wetland restoration. During this activity, Weston initiated an opportunity to save the client $400,000 in costs associated with restoration by leaving some service roads in place and coordinating the change with local agencies.
Weston oversaw construction completed by multiple disciplines including civil and electrical contractors at four substations and along the ROW and provided technical compliance guidance to the contractors. Our field personnel recorded as-built changes that affect permit conditions and coordinated permit modifications with our client’s licensing and permitting department. We monitored compliance requirements and documented actions taken to close or comply with permit conditions.
In addition, during the implementation of the construction activities, Weston assisted with internal compliance visits to ensure alignment of company environmental policy and construction practices. Weston personnel performed soil erosion and sediment control inspections at minimum weekly and completed an inspection checklist to document our observations in the field. We documented client notifications, sent to regulatory officials, and prepared and transmitted correspondence regarding any potential variance from permitting conditions.
We successfully completed the assignment with no notices of permit non-compliance from the regulatory agencies, maintained the project budget, and had no health and safety incidents in the field.
