BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

COLTON – The Colton-Nicholville 115kV Transmission line will be getting a major facelift beginning on or about Feb. 23.

The project involves site preparation, construction and restoration for the removal and rebuilding of a 115kV overhead electric transmission line between the existing Colton Substation in Pierrepont and the existing Nicholville Substation in Lawrence. The project route will traverse the towns of Pierrepont, Parishville, Hopkinton, and Lawrence, reports Nicole Marron, National Grid Project Engagement Northern and Eastern NY, in a press release emailed to North Country This Week.

“We’re building a smarter, stronger energy grid to deliver a more resilient energy network for our customers. Our work, taking place across Upstate New York, is called the Upstate Upgrade. It involves more than 70 projects through 2030 that will transform the transmission grid to meet growing demand for electricity while generating thousands of new jobs and more than $1 billion in economic growth across the region. In St. Lawrence County, this work includes rebuilding 18.3 miles of 115kV electric transmission lines between Pierrepont and Lawrence,” the release reads.

Work will be completed in phases and there may be periods of inactivity throughout the project. The first phase of construction for the project, which includes site preparation and building removal in the Town of Parishville, is anticipated to begin on or about February 23, 2026, and is scheduled to be completed by March 2026. Note, the project schedule may shift due to weather or other factors.

“We will send additional notices with specific timeframes to neighboring landowners and municipalities prior to entering a geographic area,” noted Brown.

Staff and contractors will be required to carry photo IDs. For the safety of both the public and workers, stay clear of vehicles and any active field work.

Regular project construction updates can be found on the project website: natgrid.com/ColtonNicholvilleNY.

Project regulatory documents are available for public review in the following locations: Hepburn Library in Colton; Hopkinton Reading Center in Hopkinton; Waverly Free Library in St. Regis Falls; and Potsdam Public Library in Potsdam.

The project (Case no. 24-T-0373) is under the jurisdiction of the New York Public Service Commission, which is responsible for enforcing compliance with environmental and construction conditions. The Public Service Commission may be contacted at New York State Department of Public Service Environmental Compliance Section, Empire State Plaza Agency Building 3, Albany, NY 12223 - Telephone: 518-474-8702.