Central Vermont Public Service is about to finish up some prep work for an upcoming project that will replace two aging underground lines along Route 4 later this winter. The two lines originate from the CVPS substation near the eastern end of Route 4 in Woodstock village.
At that substation site, which is just across from Woodstock Terrace in the area of the Spooners Barn, a transformer sparked and blew up about a month ago, prompting immediate attention from CVPS workers.
According to CVPS Spokesperson Steve Costello, the prep work – which held up traffic Tuesday along the eastern part of Route 4 in the village – will be finished next week after a couple more days of work. Then, the construction work on the two major electrical lines will start in about two months. Costello expected that project to be “fairly quick” – a matter of days not weeks. As a result, the portion of the two lines running along Route 4 will be replaced above ground and bundled together at the same elevation as the ordinary above ground lines.
The two electrical lines to be replaced serve the Woodstock area and Bridgewater. Costello said many utility lines last 50-70 years, though these two lines are not that old (several decades, at least). Costello added that many of the utility lines throughout the country were installed around the same time and are reaching the end of their life spans.
Drivers, are, as always, urged to stay patient and drive safely as the CVPS crew continues to work on the lines along Route 4 in the coming days. Be prepared for some one-lane traffic and more tie-ups — still relatively low-key compared to the Big City.
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 