Massena Power
The Smart Path Connect Transmission Project
Smart Path Connect is a part of a comprehensive portfolio of transmission upgrades being undertaken across New York State to support New York State’s clean energy goals. Together, the projects will enable the flow of an additional 1,000 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy across New York State.
NYPA is undertaking the Smart Path Connect transmission project with National Grid. The project will rebuild approximately 100 miles of transmission. including approximately 55 miles running East-West to be rebuilt by NYPA, and 45 miles running North-South to be rebuilt by National Grid. The work will involve replacing aging wood H-frames with steel poles almost exclusively within existing transmission rights-of-way and replace or upgrade approximately 10 substations along the project path.
Project Benefits:
- Increases power flow capacity
- Improves asset condition
- Increases transmission system resilience to severe weather events
- Creates longer spans between poles
- Uses fewer poles and less land
- Reduces transmission system congestion
- Creates hundreds of local jobs during construction
New York’s Green Energy Superhighway
Smart Path Connect is critical to realizing the full potential of renewable energy in the Northern New York area and meeting the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) targets.
The project complements and expands upon both NYPA’s Smart Path which was completed in June 2023, and the Central East Energy Connect transmission upgrade project which NYPA undertook with LS Power Grid New York in the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. View map.
With the addition of the Smart Path Connect, these investments will establish a continuous, more resilient 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission path that greatly expands the deliverability of renewable power from northern and central regions to high demand areas across the state. The transmission work being undertaken by NYPA is also consistent with the Power Authority’s new VISION2030 Strategic Plan which is focused on helping New York meet its clean energy goal of having a zero-carbon emission energy system by 2040.
Did You Know?
VISION2030: Transmission
NYPA’s VISION2030 plan includes NYPA’s intention to facilitate the rapid development of transmission assets to achieve the clean energy goals of NYS.
Map of Smart Path Connect
The Smart Path Connect in two sections: one from Massena to Clinton and one from Croghan to Marcy.
In the Press
In November 2023, Governor Hochul announced progress on the Smart Path Connect project
The Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on April 3, 2020, provides for the “timely and cost-effective construction of new, expanded and upgraded distribution... to achieve clean energy and environmental targets established in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.” The Act directs the Public Service Commission (PSC) to identify projects for which "there is a need to proceed expeditiously to promote the State's public policy goals."
On July 2, 2020, NYPA submitted a petition to the PSC for the development of the Smart Path Connect (formerly the Northern New York Priority Transmission Project) which was approved by an order dated October 15, 2020. The Project is a multi-faceted project that includes completion of the second phase of NYPA’s 86-mile Smart Path Moses-Adirondack rebuild, rebuilding approximately 45 miles of transmission eastward from Massena to the Town of Clinton, known as the Northern Alignment, and rebuilding approximately 55 miles of transmission southward from Croghan to Marcy, known as the Southern Alignment, as well as rebuilding and expanding several substations along the impacted transmission corridor. The work falls almost exclusively within existing transmission rights-of-way.
July 12, 2024
Land Surveying and Right-of-Way Access: Survey and staking work continues in the Town of Trenton and moves into the Town of Marcy ahead of access road construction crews. Structure access road work is occurring at Marcy Substation and Coombs Road area. Post-construction work is winding down in Lewis County, where crews are reclaiming matting in the Towns of Croghan and New Bremen.
Transmission Line Work: Structure spotting, erecting, and grounding work continues in the Towns of Trenton and Marcy.
Drilling and Foundation Work: Crews will continue drilling and structure foundation work in the Towns of Marcy and Trenton.
Substation Work: Crews at Edic Road Substation are installing conduit and building out the east side of the station.
March 29, 2024 New York Power Authority Construction Update
Substation Two Week Look Ahead
Week Ending 4/7/24
Haverstock (200 Fregoe Road, Massena NY):
- Foundation crew off on rotation
- Set Sabre steel structures ST-10, ST11
- Phase 1 conduit installs and finish phase 2 conduits.
Adirondack (7802 Effley Falls Road, Croghan NY):
- Set poles for switch installation
- Install insulators and above ground conduits.
- Prepare for ground grid backfill.
- Foundation contractor offsite
Willis 345/230kV (895 County Route 33, Chateaugay NY):
- Prepare to demobilize foundation crew
- Continue installing conduit
- Construct upper retention pond
Marcy (Glass Factory Road, Utica NY):
- Contractor continues civil work on swale installation.
- Install above ground equipment (junction boxes, mini power center).
- Continue steel installation
- Prepare for cable pulls
- Continue above grade conduit installation
Patnode (100 Patnode Road, Churubusco, NY):
- Receive Clearance for outage 1.3
- Erect A-frames and H-frames
- Install new foundations
Ryan (500 Ryan Road, Churubusco, NY):
- Crew offsite
Massena (524 County Road 37, Massena, NY):
- Continue conduit installation
- Pour new foundations
Week Ending 4/14/24:
Haverstock (200 Fregoe Road, Massena NY):
- Foundation crew continue drilling, casing, rebar installs and pouring concrete between bays 6 and 7. Flat work continues on load bank foundations.
- Continue conduits installation where steel installs allow.
- Continue Sabre steel installation of ST11 and ST10B. Potentially install capital steel ST-8 structures.
Adirondack (7802 Effley Falls Road, Croghan NY):
- Set poles for switch installation
- Install insulators and above ground conduits.
- Prepare for ground grid backfill.
- Foundation contractor offsite
Willis 345/230kV (895 County Route 33, Chateaugay NY):
- Continue installing conduit
- Construct Western sediment pond
- Prep and set steel
Marcy (Glass Factory Road, Utica NY):
- Contractor continues civil work on swale installation.
- Install above ground equipment (junction boxes, mini power center).
- Continue steel installation
- Prepare for cable pulls
- Continue above grade conduit installation
Patnode (100 Patnode Road, Churubusco, NY):
- Erect A-frames and H-frames
- Install new foundations
Ryan (500 Ryan Road, Churubusco, NY):
- Crew offsite
Massena (524 County Road 37, Massena, NY):
- Continue conduit installation
- Continue foundation work on F3 and F1 foundations.
March 29, 2024 New York Power Authority Construction Update
Transmission Line Two Week Look Ahead
Week Ending 4/7/24
Haverstock Substation to Adirondack Substation Transmission Lines
- Crews offsite
Haverstock Substation to Willis Substation
- Drilling and foundation work on HW2 from structures from 22/2S to 28/3S.
- Spotting structure along MW2
- Setting structure and direct embeds at various spots along HW2
- Demo of MW2 structures along Regan Flats Rd, Cold Springs Rd and HWY 95.
- Helicopter to mobilize 3/29/24. Wire pulls throughout the week.
Willis to Patnode Substation
- Drilling and foundation work on HW2 from structures from 1/1N to 2/3N.
- Spotting structure along WPN1 ROW
- Road building and matting along Patnode RD and HWY 374
Week Ending 4/14/24:
Haverstock Substation to Adirondack Substation Transmission Lines
- Crews offsite
Haverstock Substation to Willis Substation
- Drilling and foundation work on HW2 from structures from 22/2S to 32/1S.
- Spotting structure along MW2
- Setting structure and direct embeds at various spots along HW2
- Demo of MW2 structures along Scanlon Rd and Quain Rd.
- Helicopter use throughout week for wire pulls.
Willis to Patnode Substation
- Drilling and foundation work on HW2 from structures from 1/1N to 2/3N.
- Road building and matting along Patnode RD and HWY 374
November 21, 2023: Governor Hochul announced progress on the Smart Path Connect project
December 9, 2022: Governor Hochul Announces Start of Construction on Smart Path Connect Transmission Line
August 11, 2022: Governor Hochul Announces Approval of Major Upstate Transmission Line
March 30, 2021: New York Power Authority Board of Trustees Approves Northern New York Priority Transmission Project Plan
December 9, 2020: NYPA Approves New Strategic Plan to Provide Clean Energy Roadmap for Next Decade
October 30, 2020: NYPA Invites Interested Parties to Propose Co-Participant Roles for the Development of the Northern New York Priority Transmission Project
October 15, 2020: First Transmission Project Moves Forward Under Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act
Jeff Farrell
Real Estate Administrator
Phone: 315-764-6837
Jeffrey.Farrell@nypa.gov
Karen White
Manager, Community Relations
New York Power Authority
Phone: 315-764-6863
Karen.White@nypa.gov
Or call: 866-697-8758
For Landowner consultations along the Southern Alignment, please contact:
Amy Rood
Stakeholder Relations
nationalgrid
Phone: 315-401-0065
Amy.Rood@nationalgrid.com